Picton's Justin Warren shows pros how it's done in NSW Open

Picton amateur Justin Warren was in touching distance of a shock first round lead at the NSW Open after firing a scorching seven-under par 65 at Stonecutters Ridge Golf Club in Sydney on Thursday.

Heading in with moderate expectations, Warren was almost the trump card in a quality field on the opening day's play.

He trails Victorian Steven Jones (eight-under) by just one shot and sits level with Queenslander James Nitties.

"I am pretty happy with the result. The form coming in wasn't too bad but I definitely wasn't expecting this," Warren said.

"It was really good. It all came together [on Thursday]."

Warren spent the day in a group with fellow New South Welshman Mitch Davies (one-under) and New Zealander Peter Lee (one-under).

"They knew where I was at with my score so each time I was rolling in the putts they were encouraging me and telling me I was playing well," Warren said.

"I putted really well. I knew if I gave myself some good chances I would make some putts."

The stellar round puts Warren in a super position to survive until the weekend and challenge for the $100,000 purse on the weekend.

He plans to keep a simple approach during that time.

"I will just keep going out and keep playing golf. I will just treat each round as it comes, each shot, shot by shot but this will definitely give me a lot more confidence heading into the weekend," Warren said.

Shellharbour amateur Travis Smyth fired an impressive three-under to be in a tie for 16th while amateur Jordan Zunic, finished the day at six-over to be well down the pecking order - tied at 115th.

Wollongong's Lincoln Tighe set a nice platform to sit tied-35th at one-under.