Less than a fortnight out from the prestigious $30,000 event, Thompson, who took all before him last year en route to capturing the singles and triples titles, can fine-tune his game with the knowledge that his place in the star-studded field is assured.

The challengers, however, are sure to come thick and fast.

Earlier this month, Commonwealth Games gold medallist Mark Casey claimed the fifth and final wildcard into the 64-strong field with a blistering showing at the Tweed Prestige Open Singles, which included a thrilling victory over former Australian representative Brett Wilkie in the final, as well as wins against Tweed club champion Greg Hardman and former winner Ray McKay.

With Casey looming ominously in the Queensland Open field, Thompson will need to be at the top of his game to prevail, but the new Australian representative is taking everything in his stride.

“It’s going to be a little bit different this year,” Thompson said in reference to defending his titles.

“But that’s okay. It’s another challenge and it’s one I’m looking forward to.

“You’ve got to confront these challenges when you face them (and defending my titles is a big challenge).”

In the women’s event, Coolum’s Julie Keegan could well be the player to beat after re-writing the history books at the Queensland State Championships in May by becoming the first female player to capture three tiles in one year.

With fellow Coolum star Kelsey Cottrell opting not to defend her title, although the 18-year-old will partner Keegan and Australian gun Lynsey Armitage in the triples, the odds of the 44-year-old adding the Queensland Open crown to her 2006 Australian Open win are shortening by the day.

The Tyrrell’s Queensland Open will be held at the Cleveland Bowls Club from July 29 to August 1.