"They were really happy and I was pretty happy too. I played well at the last two tournaments and I was a bit surprised that I got put in the Development Squad after the weekend."
New Zealand Golf high performance manager Gregg Thorpe said Neho had impressed in the past two tournaments.
"His performance over the week at Manawatu showed his potential and the selectors were pleased to see him back that up with a great performance at Muriwai. He certainly made his run into the development squad late in the piece but we are now really looking forward to working with him and his coaching team."
Neho said he took a lot of confidence from his performance at Muriwai alongside Hendry and seasoned pro Lee. "It was a good experience playing with the two pros - I played with Richard the whole week and I played with Michael the final two days - it was a good experience for me.
"It was a bit unbelievable actually hearing those guys talk up my ability. But it feels good and it gives me confidence."
Neho has simple goals for the 2013 season. He wants to wear the Silver Fern.
"I hope to play well and I want to make a few New Zealand teams. That is the main goal from here on. I would love to represent New Zealand."
It has been a rapid progression for the young amateur and one that has taken him by surprise.
"It is hard to get my head around all of this.
"The other day I saw my name at the top of the New Zealand Order of Merit and that was a big shock to me.
" I didn't see that coming at the beginning of the year but hopefully I can continue to play well."
'Neho has big future if he wants it'
Tikipunga teenager Kadin Neho's recent golfing successes have impressed the New Zealand No1 Michael Hendry and former Japan Tour professional Richard Lee, leaving them excited about the future of New Zealand golf.
Hendry and Lee played alongside Neho in the final two rounds of the Muriwai Open 10 days ago and were raving about the talent of the recently crowned New Zealand amateur champion, who finished third to Hendry only four shots behind.
Hendry believed Neho had the potential to forge a successful career in the game.
"[Kadin] is pretty decent," said the world No158.
"He has a lot of strength, a lot of speed, hits the ball a long way, which is a massive advantage. A lot of guys never attain that sort of distance and they struggle throughout their careers as a result.
"To have that sort of distance as a young man is a huge advantage and it means he will probably go a long way if he just works on tidying up some of the rough edges ... he has got a big future if he wants it."
Lee, who played with Neho for all four rounds, echoed those comments. The 17-year-old from the Whangarei Golf Club was the first Northlander to win the NZ Amateur and backed it up with his best stroke play result in a national event.
"First of all he is young and he has just won the New Zealand Amateur in match play and then, two weeks later, he has come out and played really well in a stroke play event," said Lee.
"It shows he is mentally strong and able in both phases of the game.
"He has a good head on his shoulders. He didn't get upset once and didn't get over-excited. He was really calm and that is quite a hard thing to do especially as a young fella."
