NO MAN has ever won the Golden Nugget Prestige Invitation Singles in consecutive years.

How long can the hoodoo last?

In-form defending champion Brett Wilkie stands out as the man for the job and could be the first to break the 24-year hoodoo.

Champions Kelvin Kerkow, ‘94, ‘97, ‘08, and Steve Glasson ‘95, ‘07, ‘09, were both three-time winners of the Golden Nugget but failed to win in consecutive years.

Only three previous winners Wilkie, Kerkow and Glasson have made the men’s field this year.

Four previous winners have been invited to play in the ladies field - Carmen Anderson (‘08, ‘10), Karen Murphy (‘96, ‘97, ‘99, ‘01, ‘03), Jo Edwards, NZ (‘09) and Lynsey Armitage (‘06) make a welcome return to the field.

Former World Champion Jeremy Henry makes his first appearance along with 2009 Junior Golden Nugget winner Dylan Fisher and New Zealand champion Andrew Todd.

New World Under-25 Champion Ben Twist will make his second appearance in the Nugget and will be one to look out for. Prolific Queensland state winner Sean Baker, runner up last year, also has the taste for victory.

Leif Selby, the first man to win two Australian Open titles would dearly love to add the Golden Nugget to his trophy cabinet and this may be his year.

International Player of the Year Mark Casey is another one to watch after a great tournament last year.

In the ladies field, 18-year-old Australian Open winner and 2010 Junior Golden Nugget winner Lisa Phillips will make a strong presence along with former Scottish International Joyce Lindores.

Twice Australian Indoor Champion and former Australia Open winner Katrina Wright will make her first appearance in this year’s event as will South African Masters Champion Esme Steyn.

The 11-strong ladies field is wide open with Julie Keegan out to impress the national selectors, Rebecca Quail in great form, and last year’s finalists Carmen Anderson and Karen Murphy back.

Quail has been close to winning in previous years and Jo Edwards is back playing on the international scene.