Birdies were the order of the morning at the Mazda NSW Open and there were plenty of them scored in the perfect conditions.

Amateur Justin Warren got things underway early coming through the turn at 4-under the card.

An eagle on the par-5 18th was the highlight of Warren’s round, it saw him finish at 7-under 65, equal the course record and lead the tournament.

This is the second year that the 19-year-old has Monday qualified for the NSW Open and showing that talent runs in the family Warren is the grandson of Barry, the 1957 Australian Amateur Champion.

Warren was joined in the lead by Web.com Tour player James Nitties who knew that a low score would be needed to be up the top end of the leaderboard today.

While Nitties and Warren held a share of the course record it wasn’t for long.

Playing the group behind Nitties, Victorian Steve Jones fired an impressive 8-under 64 to set the new record and take the outright lead.

Jones has been in good form having also led the John Hughes Nexus Risk Services WA Open Championship and believes he is close to breaking through for a win. 

So far today there have been 297 birdies and 19 eagles on course.

The afternoon field is now on course. For all live scores please click here.