The scene has been set for a Jennian Homes Trophy showdown at the Taranaki Open between local amateur and New Zealand representative Sam Jones and one of the tour’s most prolific winners, Josh Geary.

The Jennian Homes Trophy is the season-long points race over the Jennian Homes Charles Tour season, awarded to the player that has accumulated the most points over the six events this year.

Jones has earned himself a 187-point lead heading into the final event after playing some of his career-best golf in 2022. He’s amassed 1,395 points after a victory at the Carrus Tauranga Open, second-place finishes at the Renaissance Brewing New Zealand Stroke Play, Christies Floorings Mount Open, and last week’s DVS Clearwater Open. He also finished 20th at the Autex Muriwai Open in April.

If he gets the job done in his home province this week, he’ll become the first amateur to win the Jennian Homes Trophy, a challenge he’s looking forward to.

“Obviously, the last three or so weeks have been really good. The plan is to continue that, and we’ll see what happens.”

The understated amateur will be tough to beat around a track he knows so well. He and his younger brother Ethan both hone their craft at New Plymouth Golf Club and know almost every blade of grass on the east coast golf course.

Jones says the best way to give back to the club and the Taranaki region is to win.

“It’ll be cool to win them both at the same time. Hopefully, a few of the locals will come out and have a watch; I’m sure I will have a few family members out there, so it would be cool to get it done in front of them.

“I try and keep everything pretty chill and simple. I’m not too fazed at the moment, I just need to go out there and play my own game the best I can, and the rest should take care of itself.”

The only player who can catch him is last week’s DVS Clearwater Open champion, Josh Geary.

Geary has also had a consistent year, picking up victories at the Renaissance Brewing New Zealand Stroke Play and the DVS Clearwater Open. He also finished in a share of fourth at the Christies Floorings Mount Open and equal eighth at the Autex Muriwai Open, earning himself a total of 1,205 points.

Geary says the equation is simple.

“I’m feeling good. I’ve come here to win the tournament anyway, so even though there is another trophy on the line, the goal remains the same. I just need to go out there and beat everyone.

“I think naturally things could play into his hands a bit. He’s playing phenomenal golf at the moment, and he knows this track well. I’ve played here a lot myself, so it will be interesting if the wind gets up and the weather plays its part. Hopefully, I have a week where I’m in control of everything; otherwise, it might not be as fun.”

Kazuma Kobori was the only other person who could have caught Jones or Geary if he won and they scored zero points. However, he isn’t in the field this week.