The Charlestown product is one of the hot tips in a field of 216 from Australia, Canada, USA, England, Ireland, Japan, Fiji, Canada, Singapore and New Zealand at Melbourne’s Woodlands and Huntingdale courses

‘‘It doesn’t really bother me. I just try to play the best I can,’’ Higginbottom said.

‘‘It’s definitely new, but all I’m trying to do is play well and I have been lately.

‘‘Obviously if you’re the favourite it means you’re playing well, so it’s a good thing to be the favourite.’’

In his Australian Amateur debut last year Higginbottom came 64th after four rounds of stroke play to miss the top 32 for the match play rounds.

This year after two rounds of stroke play the top 64 will progress to match play.

‘‘I don’t know if it’s a better format,’’ he said.

‘‘I don’t like match play as much as stroke play as stroke play you can make a few [shots] on a hole whereas match play you have to play well and concentrate on every shot.’’

Defending champion Matt Stieger (Botany), last year’s runner-up Ben Campbell (New Zealand) and Higginbottom’s old rival Cameron Smith (Queensland) are expected to challenge for the title.

The Australian Amateur crown would make a worthy addition to the 18-year-old’s trophy cabinet, which already houses the NSW, Queensland and China amateur titles.

‘‘This is definitely the biggest one you’d want to add to your resume,’’ he said.

Another elusive title that Higginbottom will soon be chasing is the Lake Macquarie Amateur from January 26.

With a world amateur ranking of 15, Higginbottom will headline the Belmont event.

Another amateur chasing success in Melbourne today and Belmont next week is Toronto’s Callan O’Reilly.

In two attempts the 21-year-old is yet to make the cut in the national event, but he is confident that if he can qualify for the match play he can contend for the title.

‘‘I like match play as it’s a different game because you’re not competing against 200 players in the field. It’s only against one person and you can control more parts of the game,’’ O’Reilly said.

‘‘I’m focusing on playing solid for two days to make the 64 and then anything can happen.

‘‘I’m not saying I think I can win it, but I’d like to think I can make the final 16 and reach the quarter-final.’’

Former Newcastle and Shortland Waters club champion Steve Slappendel, Belmont’s Daniel Buyers and Scone’s Nathan Waters round out the Hunter contingent.