Benign weather mixed with helpful greens at the New Zealand Open yesterday led to some low scores.
A total of 27 golfers went six under the card or better on a day where the wind simply never blew and the golfers shrugged off the occasional burst of rain.
The lead is shared by Australian Daniel Nisbet, American Jarin Todd and Japanese golfer Tatsuya Kodai, all on nine under. Todd played at Millbrook while Nisbet and Kodai were on the Hills.
They are followed one shot behind by Australians Andrew Dodt, Travis Smyth and Andrew Martin.
Behind them are a group of four, including the leading New Zealander, Harry Bateman.
Todd hit nine birdies but after his round said his long game could have been better.
``I did not drive very good. I started on the back nine and almost made it on the par threes and had some momentum going into the other nine,'' Todd said.
``The conditions are perfect - that is why there are so many low scores. The greens were a touch slow but they were pretty good. When I hit bad shots I managed to get decent breaks, and then I hit some really good shots so it evened out.''
Nisbet said no wind made the Hills course much easier.
He hit six birdies on the back nine as he came storming home.
``In this weather a lot of guys are going to tear this course up. The wind gives that course a lot of strength and there was not a lot of that today,'' Nisbet said.
``It is a fresh course tomorrow, early start. Depending on the weather I've just got to go out and do the same thing. Hit the ball well off the tee, not be super-conservative and be a little bit more aggressive. I have been playing well the last few weeks so I went for a few more pins today.''
Kodai started well and hit five birdies in his first nine and then kept up the charge in the finishing holes as he made the most of the calm conditions in the afternoon.
Kodai and Nisbet were one shot off the course record at the Hills.
Dodt said his hot round was a reflection of his love of the course and country.
``It was a slow start. The conditions were really easy ... but I was starting to get a bit anxious as I needed to start making the putts,'' he said.
He landed five birdies and an eagle in his last six holes as he got a roll-on.
Dodt enjoyed the Hills course and eventually the rewards arrived.
``It was maybe forcing it a little bit too much early. Maybe a little where less is more. Let it come to me rather than chase it.''
Dodt said the course was playing well and low scores were the order of the day.
``It is not going to get any easier than what it was today. So you've got to put the foot down. The greens are pure. Where you hit the putt, that is where it will stay.''
Defending champion Michael Hendry hit two under on the Hills, as did Ryan Fox, while Ben Campbell, who won the NZPGA last week, is on three under, having played at Millbrook.
Steven Alker and Mark Brown also hit 3-under at Millbrook
Similar conditions are forecast for today. with occasional rain and westerly winds.
