Stephen Hendry makes stance clear on snooker vs darts debate after Luke Humphries claim

 The debate over what is harder - a nine-darter or a 147 break - has been a hot topic of conversation in recent times, and snooker legend Stephen Hendry has now had his say

Stephen Hendry can understand Luke Humphries' argument

Stephen Hendry has partially sided with Luke Humphries in the ongoing debate between the worlds of darts and snooker.

The argument hinges on which is more challenging - nailing a nine-darter or completing a 147 break. Snooker's Shaun Murphy has consistently fanned the flames, boasting that he has achieved both a nine-darter and a golfing hole-in-one, plus numerous maximum breaks throughout his career.

The 2005 world champion ruffled feathers, particularly those of Humphries, during a charity event last year that featured players from both sports. Humphries opined that a 147 was trickier for an amateur, but less so for a pro.

He said: "You don't play snooker, you don't play golf, you don't play darts - you give them a snooker cue, some darts and a golf club... I think they'd do the hole-in-one first, the nine-darter second and then the 147 last. I think that would be harder. But to a professional, I think a nine-darter is harder than a 147."

In reply, Murphy joked: "I didn't know you were a comedian too." Humphries held his ground, retorting: "What's funny about that?

"When you're a professional, you make it look easy to hit a 147. Stats show it too. In frames and legs of darts, there are more 147s than nine-darters."

The world's top darts player, who has already guaranteed a spot in the Premier League play-offs with two nights to go, has surprisingly received support from snooker icon Hendry. The seven-time world champion, while faithful to his own sport, acknowledged that the amateur versus professional discussion adds an intriguing twist.

"It was Luke Humphries that said it, if you took each sport as a professional... anyone can luck into a hole-in-one but if you're a professional trying to get one, that's very, very difficult," Hendry said on the Snooker Club podcast.

Humphries has received unexpected backing from Hendry

"A darts player, under pressure, trying to get a nine-darter... Obviously, I still think the 147 [is harder], I'm always going to go that way because it's 36 shots of perfection.

"But it does bring another argument into it if you say what is the hardest to do as a professional in competition?"

Following his latest 147 break at the World Open in China against Zhou Jinhao in March, Murphy was told during an interview that he was providing darts players with "some ammunition" in the ongoing debate. He cheekily replied: "Maybe we're just better at what we do, I don't know. That has been said by some."

Shaun Murphy hasn't been afraid to wind up darts players and fans

He added: "In all seriousness, I never really wanted to compare the things. It started with me and [darts commentator and ex-player] Wayne Mardle having a drink, discussing which was more difficult.

"I'm sure there are more things out there more difficult than each other. Listen, I've made snooker look very difficult at times. When it goes well, I'm really pleased."