The Melbourne-based golfer has played just one competitive round in more than five months yet he is still the man to beat.

Dunn, who hadn’t swung a club since August, won the club’s 27-hole Moyneyana tournament last Saturday.

He played the opening nine holes in one-over 37 and then played the remaining 18 holes in one-under 71.

Dunn said his scoring had surprised him as he took a two-shot win over Shane Gurnett.

“I hit a few bad shots but managed to recover,” he said.

The teacher said the resumption of school this week had killed any chance of practice.

“I played nine holes on Sunday night and nine holes on Monday morning with a mate before I came back and I haven’t had a chance to get to the driving range and I don’t think that’s going to happen now.”

When Dunn won the title last year, he had spent the bulk of his summer playing golf but he couldn’t produce a low round. 

Then, in the opening round, he shot a course record five-under 67 as he marched away to a 19-shot victory. 

His four-round total of three-under 285 was the lowest 72-hole aggregate on an 18-hole course in the club’s history.

The 28-year-old is aiming for his third A grade title in four years, having won it in 2011 and 2013.

Friend, two-time champion Troy Richardson, is expected to be his main danger with Gurnett unavailable to play all of the first three qualifying rounds.

Dunn played nine holes with Richardson last Sunday and they are grouped together tomorrow, teeing off at 7.30am.

Richardson has played little golf in recent times despite being a greenskeeper at the club.

He has had two competitive outings since November. Teenager Nelson Williams and former winner Andrew Dwyer are expected to be prominent.