COMMONWEALTH Games gold medallist Mark Casey is looming ominously in the Tyrrell's Queensland Open draw after securing the final wildcard into the $30,000 event.
The Queenland Open will be played at Cleveland Bowls Club from Sunday, July 27.
With just five automatic entries up for grabs, Casey received a free pass into the 32-man field by virtue of his 25-19 victory against Helensvale teammate Brett Wilkie in the final of the Tweed Prestige Open Singles last week.
The former international star joins defending champion Robbie Thompson in the main draw, along with reigning Australian Open champion Leif Selby, Queensland state singles winner Sean Baker and Salisbury Super Bowl victor Jamie Anderson.
In the women's singles draw, just four wildcards have been handed out, with defending champion Kelsey Cottrell declining her invitation to focus on her final year of high school.
Despite Cottrell's absence, the field is full of class, with reigning Australian Open champion Katrina Wright taking up the offer, as has Queensland state singles champion Julie Keegan, Salisbury quarter-finalist Kerrie Wilson and Tweed star Ann Maree Peart.
With the Tyrrell's Queensland Open less than a month away, Casey, who has been in scintillating form of late, said he was looking forward to producing another strong showing at Cleveland.
"This year has probably been my best ever year," Casey said.
"I'm really happy with the way I'm playing at the moment and hopefully I can do well at Cleveland.
"I'm not even thinking about (an international recall) at the moment, I just want to go out there and play as well as I can and have fun."
Following his appearance in the Australian Open final in February, Casey can dislodge Selby, who beat him on that occasion, at the top of the Bowls Australia rankings, with New South Wales' Scott Caundle the only other player capable of assuming the coveted number one ranking.