Luke Humphries and Michael van Gerwen fail to hit nine-dart finishes as Shaun Murphy settles debate in Paddy Power Perfect Challenge

A debate as old as time is which is the what is easier. A nine-dart finish, 147 or hole-in-one and it seemed to be settled on Wednesday by World Darts Championship title sponsors, Paddy Power.

Taking the honours on the nine-dart finish end was Luke Humphries and Michael van Gerwen. Albeit both failed to get close to hitting one with a few 180's here or there from both. Albeit it was perhaps the best from a needle perspective as Humphries and MVG shared the room with Shaun Murphy and Mark Williams.

Murphy was the only one to hit the perfect foray with a 147 ending the debate. As a result, nine-darters and hole-in-ones are easier to hit by normal people as a result. But Humphries spoke about his theory saying that for a professional, it is the hardest to hit a nine-dart finish.

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To which Murphy responded. The snooker star had previously quipped that he had hit all three having been given a set of darts by Phil Taylor after Question of Sport. Veracity of which was questioned by Van Gerwen in particular. He said: "I didn't know you were a comedian as well" as both sides of the room became pretty animated in their cause as the snooker stars were laughing at Humphries' point of view.

Albeit Murphy indeed had the last laugh. Williams was close numerous times but it was the former who potted the brown and the blue. The pink went and a simple back was potted as fireworks in the studio went off. Also there was little room for maneuver as he did it with little time to go so no-one could tie it up. Certainly not the golfers either as Ross Fisher and Matt Wallace failed to hit a hole-in-one either.

"We always talk about playing conditions. Brand new table, brand new gloves and balls," said Murphy on hitting it and winning the debate. "I was really honing in on the missed brown and did not want a repeat of it. I feel like I have won the world title. I put everything into those shots. We practice 147s and try to get them. I am buzzing and will be for the rest of day. Not having someone to play against makes it easier."