 Murphy was born in Harlow and grew up in Irthlingborough . He was home @-@ schooled from age 13 after being bullied at school , and his parents split up when he was 14 . He lived with his father Tony , a former professional golfer , and did not see his mother again until he was 19 . During the 2007 World Championship , it was reported that he had developed a rift with his father , who was a member of the World Snooker board . He said that they had not spoken in over a year , but that he would willingly speak to his father again if the other called him . 
