Golf: Open set to be tough contest

New Zealand amateur champion Kadin Neho will face tough competition for the amateur honours at the Muriwai Open which tees off in West Auckland tomorrow.

Neho, 17, will come up against New Zealand stroke play champion Cameron Jones at the Open, which is part of the Charles Tour.

Jones won't be Neho's only competition as in-form Waikato representative Luke Toomey, 2011 champion Josh Munn and consistent Aucklander Nick Voke will also by vying for the title.

However, Jones is likely to be the hardest competitor as the Open takes place on his home ground.

The North Harbour number one, Jones, who was named in the National Academy on Monday for the first time, is looking forward to playing his home course with strong recent form under his belt.

"I can't wait to get on the tee and get started to be honest," said Jones. "I have had a fair bit of success out here - I won the North Harbour Stroke Play there earlier this year - and, obviously being my home course, I know it pretty well.

"I am feeling pretty confident heading into this week with the form I have shown. I am looking forward to carrying that on in my home event."

Jones, who shot a six under par 30 at Paraparaumu Beach to win the New Zealand Stroke Play, knows there will be plenty of competition among the elite amateurs.

In true sportsmanship style, Jones offered some advice for his competitors taking part.

"If the wind gets up, make sure you take an extra club just to take the elements out of play. If you are going to miss the greens, try to miss them on the open side of the hole. That will leave you with a much easier up and down. [And], being below the hole is always good at Muriwai too. Most of all, have fun, as it's a great course in any condition and a really good test of golf."