World number five Karen Murphy is well aware that she is just one win away from immortality at next week’s $30,000 Janome NSW Open at Taren Point Bowling Club.
The triple Commonwealth Games representative, who has dominated the Bowls Australia grand prix circuit since its inception in 2004, possesses almost every imaginable record bar one, which she can erase next week with victory in the women’s pairs or fours.
With Australian teammates Sharyn Renshaw and Leif Selby the only two players to have won four GP titles in a calendar year, Murphy can draw level with the pair by hoisting a trophy aloft at Taren Point.
Having captured the Australian Open pairs and triples earlier this year, as well as successfully defending her Australian Indoor singles title, a win in the fours would complete the ‘Murphy slam’ and elevate her to legendary status.
As the circuit currently stands, Murphy, who has captured 11 titles from 15 GP finals, stands head and shoulders clear of her nearest rival, namely Renshaw, who possesses six titles of her own.
“It’s going to be a great tournament,” Murphy said.
“I didn’t realise until recently what I had in front of me but it’s a great challenge and I’m really looking forward to it.”
During last year’s NSW Open, Murphy reached the final of the women’s fours playing alongside her World Championship gold medal winning teammates, but was sensationally upset by a makeshift combination hailing from NSW, Western Australia and Scotland, but is back this year determined to rewrite the wrongs.
In the women’s pairs, the 34-year-old will line up alongside Western Australian wonder kid Kristina Krstic, fresh off competing at the Australian Junior Championships earlier this week, before uniting with a powerful combination that includes national teammates Penny Landherr and Anne Johns and another teenage sensation in Natasha Van Eldik.
“Kristina’s a great kid I’m really looking forward to playing with her,” the reigning Commonwealth Games pairs’ gold medallist said.
“I haven’t played with Penny before, but Anne and I won the Australian Open with Kay (Moran) earlier this year and Tash is a good player as well.
“It’s exciting.”
A multi-discipline tournament, the Janome NSW Open features pairs and fours for both men and women with $30,000 up for grabs.
The competition commences at Taren Point on Monday, October 6 and runs through to Thursday, October 9, with the finals broadcast across the nation on ABC TV.
