From Branxton, Lamb is fresh from leading Concord to the Eric Apperly Shield and won the International Players Championship in Canada in August.

The 16-year-old has been a regular visitor at Cypress Lakes over the past month, preparing for one of the ‘majors’ in junior golf.

Queensland gun Louis Dobbelaar is in the USA and will not defend his title.

Defending girls champion Grace Kim also has overseas commitments, representing Australia at the 2018 Youth Olympics in Buenos Aires.

More than 400 players, including visitors from Canada, Hawaii, Japan, New Caledonia, New Zealand, South Africa and South Korea as well as every state and territory in Australia, will tee up in the 72-hole four-day championships.

The International, was first held in 1986, and has been the launching pad for some of Australia’s leading players.

“The Jack Newton International Junior Classic is an important stepping stone for many of Australia’s young golfers,” tournament host and founder, Jack Newton said.

“This event has been pivotal in founding the careers of Australia’s well-known international golfing stars, providing them with a platform to make a successful transition into the senior ranks.”

Aaron Baddeley won the event in 1998, two months before securing his first Australian Open victory as an amateur.

Other high profile winners include US and European tour members Steven Bowditch, Andrew Dodt, Brett Drewitt and Ryan Ruffels and current LPGA Tour stars Minjee Lee, Su-Hyun Oh and Thidipa Suwannapura.

The tournament is split into junior and sub junior. Lamb will be among 210 player competing in the 15-17s division at Cypress Lakes.

A field of 180, including 56 in a new 11 years and under division, will tee up at Cessnock golf club. The tournament holds Australia junior order of merit and world amateur golf ranking status.