The 24-year-old, who turned professional mid-year and recently returned to Australia after playing overseas, brings "vintage form'' to the top tournament, after two top-three finishes in the past fortnight.

He made light of the dreadful conditions to shoot a five-under-par 66 in the final round of the weekend's NSW Open at the Vintage Golf Club in the Hunter Valley, to finish third behind winner Leigh McKechnie and James Nitties. Last week he finished in a tie for runner-up at the NSW PGA Championship in Wollongong.

Arnold isn't phased, although he is pitted against the might of the likes of Australia's No. 1 golfer, Geoff Ogilvy, as well as Adam Scott, James Nitties, Greg Chalmers, Aaron Baddeley,

Stuart Appleby and Americans such as the new slimline John Daly, Steve Marino and Kevin Stadler.

"I'm looking forward to the Australian Open at one of my home courses,'' Arnold said while practising at his other "home,'' Cronulla Golf Club, where his father Colin is the club professional. "You got to hope it [playing at NSWGC] can give me a few advantages.''

If it blows a gale like it often does across the scenic coastline course, the better for Arnold, who likes to hit lower trajectory drives.

Like his finish at the NSW PGA, Arnold stormed home while others faded in the hot and windy conditions.

One was fellow Sutherland Shire professional Rohan Blizard, this year's Australian amateur champion, who was running third going into Sunday's final round. Unfortunately, he could

only manage a seven-over 78, but he still finished tied on equal sixth.

Arnold said OGilvy was the ``rightful favourite'' but believed the new-look Daly would still ``battle'' to keep his big drives on the tight and windswept NSW GC fairways.

"There's a bit of luck in who draws the morning or afternoon early rounds and when the wind blows the hardest,'' Arnold admitted. ``But I'm very happy with my form.''