A former world champ called out a spectator who criticised his game at the contest in Sheffield

Shaun Murphy has blasted an audience member who criticised one of his shots during the opening session of his first-round match against Fan Zhengyi at the World Snooker Championship in Sheffield.

Murphy said he lost concentration after a spectator in the front row muttered "s*** shot" during a gruelling battle which he won 5-4, ahead of Tuesday evening's concluding session.

Shaun Murphy called out a spectator who criticised one of his shots at the World Snooker Championships. | Getty Images

placeholder image — Shaun Murphy called out a spectator who criticised one of his shots at the World Snooker Championships. | Getty Images

Murphy wrote on Instagram: "Just a friendly reminder that if you're sat on the front row in the Crucible and I play a shot that may not work for a particular reason, it's probably best not to say 's*** shot' out loud. I've got ears."

Murphy also joked: "I missed my last shot as I was contemplating which end (of) my cue to hit him with."

Shaun Murphy won the World Championship in 2005.