Victorian Steve Jones has claimed the Mazda NSW Open lead after shooting a course record round at Stonecutters Ridge Golf Club today.

Playing in the morning field, Jones capitalised on the scoring conditions to fire an 8-under 64 to lead by one heading into the second round.

"Any time you go really low it feels good." said Jones.

"I wanted to get off to a really good start; the conditions were pretty benign out there."

"I was mindful of how the conditions are going to be tomorrow. I think it might be windy and pretty hot."

Jones, renowned as one of the longest hitters on the PGATour of Australasia, took advantage of the wide open fairways designed by GregNorman at Stonecutters Ridge.

 "I think that the course suits me this week. It’s very open off the tee which suits me because I can spray it a little bit," added Jones.

"I didn’t hit as many drivers as I thought; I have a really good 3 wood at the moment so I have been hitting that a lot."

"Hitting it long is a big advantage; I can fly to a lot of the down slopes that maybe some other guys might not be able to."

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

"I feel like I have been knocking on the door for a few years, I have been a Pro for eight years now," added Jones.

"My game feels good; I just have to get out of my own way to use all those mental clichés."

"I feel like I am ready to win one of these tournaments and hopefully contend in one of the big ones coming up."

Sitting a shot behind Jones is Web.com Tour player James Nitties and 19-year-old amateur Justin Warren who Monday qualified for the NSWOpen for the second consecutive year.

Showing that talent runs in the family Warren is the grandson of Barry, the 1957 Australian Amateur Champion.

At 6-under the card New Zealander Josh Geary is outright fourth after the first round while a shot further back and rounding out the top-5 are Nathan Green and Daniel Fox.

The second round of the Mazda NSW Open tees off at 6.45am tomorrow with Steve Jones on course at 12.05pm.

Round 1 Scores   Round 2 Tee Times