The fans say Murphy

Thirteen-time grand prix winner Karen Murphy has been installed as the pre-tournament favourite for the women’s singles at the up-coming $125,000 Australian Open.

Despite never having prevailed in the blue-ribbon event from five attempts, Murphy, a beaten semi-finalist in 2006 and 2008, has defied the world rankings to wins the fans vote ahead of the opening round at Shepparton Park on Monday, February 15.

During a recent Bowls Australia online poll, respondents were asked to name the likely women’s winner, with the world number five securing almost one in every two votes.

Murphy finished the two-week poll, which saw more than 500 votes cast, with 45%, while defending champion Kelsey Cottrell, the world number three, was the next best with 28%.

World number four Siti Zalina Ahmad, the 2007 champion and 2008 runner-up, came in third with 11%, narrowly ahead of the game’s top-ranked player Val Smith also with 11%, while world number two Alison Merrien finished with 5%.

A colossus of the game, Murphy captured the Australian Open pairs and triples titles last year, becoming the first player in grand prix history to win 10 or more titles.

Since then she has collected a further three, prevailing at the Australian Indoor Championships for a third consecutive time, while also winning the pairs and fours at the NSW Open.

Murphy currently sits six clear of Australian teammate Sharyn Renshaw on the all-time GP winners’ list, with no other male or female player having captured more than four.

Remarkably, however, the three-time Commonwealth Games representative is yet to capture an outdoor singles crown, with the Australian Open looming largely on her horizon.

"I’m not putting too much pressure on myself," Murphy said earlier today.

"I guess it would be nice…but I’m really looking forward to the Australian Open.

"I really enjoyed playing in Shepparton last year in regional Victoria and I think it’s a great venue and a great choice (for the event)."

A multi-discipline tournament, the Australian Open features singles, pairs and triples for both men and women, with the competition running from February 14 to 20 at the Shepparton Park and Mooroopna bowls clubs.

Click here for more information on the 2010 Australian Open.

Caption: 13-time GP winner Karen Murphy is the fans' favourite for the AO.