 Born in Harlow and raised in Irthlingborough , Murphy turned professional in 1998 . His victory at the World Championship was considered a major surprise as he was only the third qualifier to lift the title . His other ranking tournament victories came in the 2007 Malta Cup , the 2008 UK Championship , the Players Tour Championship 2010 / 2011 – Finals and the 2014 World Open , while he reached a second World Championship final in 2009 and a third in 2015 . He has also won seven non @-@ ranking tournaments , including the 2015 Masters , which completed his career Triple Crown . 
