Neho opens with 72

Whangarei's Kadin Neho is the highest ranked Northlander at the LawnMaster Classic in gusting winds at the Manawatu Golf Club.

Neho is one of three Northlanders taking part in the event - along with former Black Cap Alex Tait and Chase McKeown - and after one round the New Zealand Amateur Champion was 10th equal.

The Northland teenager scored an even par 72 in the opening round, five shots back from leader Douglas Holloway.

Next up from the Northlanders was McKeown, who sat three shots back with a score of 75. Tait had a forgettable opening round, scoring 81.

Hawkes Bay professional Holloway set the early scoring pace as the 30-year-old - who is a four-time winner on The Charles Tour - carded a five-under par 67 in the morning round to claim a two stroke lead over four players in the $40,000, 72 hole stroke play event.

Holloway is two ahead of professionals Dominic Barson (New Plymouth) and Richard Lee (Auckland) and amateurs Sam An (Titirangi) and Vaughan McCall (Gore) who all carded rounds of three-under par 69.

New Zealand's No1 amateur McCall and Japanese Tour pro Lee had the most impressive rounds of the second-placed players as they battled in the strongest winds of the day.

Tournament drawcard Craig Perks, home for his first competitive golf since retiring in 2007, opened with a disappointing nine-over par 81 in the trying conditions.