Can Robert Payne snag a win at the Wentworth Open?

The perennial champ has so far lucked out during this year's open season, with former Dubbo member come Bonnie Doon star Jones Comerford travelling west for the Duntryleague Open last week and trumping the field, including Payne.

Fresh off a narrow defeat in both his home open and prior to that the Golf NSW Senior Amateur Championships, Payne will be hoping to add to his already jam-packed list of Wentworth wins when the 2020 open kicks off on Saturday.

Wentworth pro Todd Brakenridge says this year's field is as open as ever, but given Payne is so far winless over the course of the backend of the year he's backing the Duntryleague veteran to light up his cross-town course.

"I'm not sure that's ever happened, Payney not winning an open ... at least one," Brakenridge said.

"It amazes me how well he goes here. We'll probably only see him once or twice a year but he comes out here and plays well.

"I would say there's no clear favourite ... I say it every year, and it'd be great to see a Wenty member win it, but Payney will be tough to beat."

Fresh off his Duntry Open win, Comerford won't return to Orange to try and grab the open double.

Andy Campbell, Steve Bray, Craig Coles and Craig Stojanovic are all in the field, but last year's winner Tim White won't return to defend his crown.

Brakenridge believes the likes of Mark Fliedner or Jordan Clark are both chances to take it out, too.

But he says the heat - Orange is predicted to hover around the 30 degrees mark all weekend - will be another factor over the course of the 36 holes.

He said one or two over par will likely be a winning score.

"Something over par wins it. You'll do well to get under par here," he said.

"We couldn't be happier with the course. It's dried up in the last week or two and it'll be a good weekend."

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