Filled with confidence after a breakout performance at last week’s Australian Masters, fledgling golf professional Nathan Holman will be among the emerging stars at the revived NSW Open starting at Castle Hill on Thursday.

Back on the schedule after a one-year absence, the tournament will pit promising youngsters like Holman, Jason Scrivener, Jack Wilson and New Zealand’s Ryan Fox, alongside seasoned veterans like Peter O’Malley, Nick O’Hern and Steven Bowditch.

Playing just his fifth tournament as a professional, the 22-year-old Victorian was joint leader at halfway of the Masters.

He carded a final-round 78 to drop to 15th, but his first two rounds of 68 and 65 displayed his potential.

“It was great, it was probably one of the best experiences of my life and I think it’s only going to benefit me this week and then next week (at the Australian Open) as well,” said Holman.

“It was something that I won’t forget. I’ve been playing quite well for probably three or four weeks now.

“It was no surprise really to play that well.”

Holman is looking to build on a promising start to his pro career before heading to the Asian Tour qualifying school early in the new year.

O’Malley, who finished joint 22nd at the Masters, said Holman would have learnt a lot playing alongside world No.2 Adam Scott on the Saturday.

“It’s great to see the depth of golf we’ve got in Australia,” said O’Malley, who won the NSW Open in 2010.

“It’s good to have young guys competing in our major events and coming off one of the best golf courses in Australia and the world.”