2023 World Champion of Champions: Day 1 wrap
It was a mixed day for the Australian contingent at the 2023 World Champion of Champions at Robina, with Karen Murphy going undefeated and Jono Davis enjoying one victory from his two matches on the opening afternoon of the event.
Murphy, the 2013 champion, kicked off her sectional campaign against Teokotai Jim of the Cook Islands and it was a mightily close contest with the first two sets being tied up.
However, the Australian roared into gear and raced home to claim a 3-3 3-3 8-3 win, utilising the three sets of five ends format to perfection as she notched up her first salutation of the event.
The 48-year-old’s second contest would be against Israel’s Irit Grencel, and again she would require three sets to fend off the challenge.
The Cabramatta product looked in fine touch in the opening set before Grencel managed to tie the second, forcing a third stanza with a draw possible in the sectional rounds.
Murphy would ultimately come out on top with a 5-2 4-4 3-2 victory to sit in second place in her section behind 2022 semifinalist Anne Nunes of the USA.
In the men’s field, Davis would get his first taste of competition against Czechia’s Craig Hurry, who is fresh off a run at the World Bowls Championships.
The Australian claimed the opening stanza before Hurry responded to tie the second and force a decider, which ultimately the New South Welshman would claim to seal the 7-2 4-4 9-4 victory and kick off his campaign in style.
Ed Morris of England would be his second opponent and Davis was lightning fast out of the blocks, taking the opening set before the Englishman responded to force a third after a tight second.
Ultimately, Morris’ prowess paid off as he raced to a 2-10 4-2 8-3 victory, leaving Davis in fourth place in section three.
The top two ranked players in each of the men’s sections will progress to the quarterfinals, while in the women’s draw it will be the two best in the three groups plus the two next best qualifiers.
View the day 1 results and tournament schedule HERE
The tournament will run from September 12-16 at the Robina Bowls Club on the Gold Coast, with live streaming to be done by Gold Coast Tweed District on their Facebook and YouTube pages.
