A heated exchange between Charlie Manby and James Hurrell became a major talking point at the UK Open in Minehead on Friday afternoon. The confrontation erupted after Manby edged past Hurrell 6-4 in the early stages of the tournament, with the pair exchanging words near the board before being separated, and Manby celebrating loudly with the crowd afterwards.
Speaking to ITV4, Manby refused to apologize for his celebrations, admitting, "I just don't think he was happy with me giving it the big one." He noted that the intense atmosphere on the outer boards, where fans are positioned close to the action, likely contributed to the emotions boiling over. Despite the on-stage tension, Manby insisted his relationship with Hurrell away from competition remains friendly, saying, "I am mates with James, I sit with him at ProTours, I got on really well with him."
However, Manby was clear that friendship ends when a match begins, stating, "There's no friends on the oche. Yes, you can sit with whoever you want, but there's no friends on the oche at all." He was unapologetic about his expressive style, adding, "If I want to give it the big one, I'll give it the big one, there's no restrictions to that – especially here." Manby emphasized that interacting with the crowd is part of the sport at the UK Open, describing the unique format as creating a lively environment where energy should be embraced.
Manby's run in Minehead ended later on Friday evening in the fourth round, where he was beaten 10-6 by Ryan Joyce. Nevertheless, the clash with Hurrell ensured he remained one of the most discussed figures from the opening day of the tournament.
