The 29-year-old Sydney Roosters captain will make his first foray into tour golf when he tees off in the first round on Thursday.

He will take on the likes of Bowditch - a US PGA Tour player - Kurt Barnes, Peter O'Malley, Andrew Stolz and Wollongong hope Brad McIntosh.

Speirs declared Bowditch deserved to be favourite, but revealed Anasta had made several trips to Wollongong in preparation.

Victory on Sunday would see Anasta follow in the footsteps of former tennis professional Scott Draper, who changed sports to win the 2007 NSWPGA title.

"I've played with Braith a couple of times, he comes down a lot," Speirs said.

"He would have made five trips down to get familiar with the course, he's pretty serious about it.

"It's a big ask to change sports; if he makes it in golf after a successful rugby league career, it would be an amazing achievement to win," the club pro added.

"But he plays a very high level of golf and he's really keen to make the most of this opportunity."

Anasta plays off a handicap of one and is contemplating a switch after he retires from the NRL.

However, he will face some of Australia's best at the beachside WGC course.

Bowditch has played 28 tournaments on the US Tour since taking out the NSWPGA victory in Wollongong last year.

He finished with one top 10 finish and more than $560,000 in prize money to rank 125th for the year.

The 28-year-old finished at 17-under at last year's NSWPGA, two shots clear of New Zealander Gareth Paddison.

Paddison and 2009 Wollongong victor Aaron Townsend will again be among the field, which will be finalised tomorrow after today's final qualifying tournament.

"It's great to have Bowditch back," Speirs said.

"He played some fantastic and at times aggressive golf last year and he certainly will be the one to catch."