New Zealand golfer David Smaille plays a shot on the 18th hole at the New Zealand Open in Arrowtown today. Photo by Gregor Richardson.
Smail, the 2001 champion, leads by a stroke from American DJ Brigman and Australian Andrew Bonhomme.
No player has yet made a significant move in the afternoon, but conditions are still ideal so more low scores can be expected.
Smail, starting off the 10th tee, birdied five of his first nine holes and carried that momentum to the finish.
Dunedin's Mahal Pearce had a mixed start but finished smoothly to be 1-under.
Most of the other New Zealanders are playing in the afternoon, with Steve Alker the best of them at 2-under through 10 holes.
10:20am update
New Zealand No 1 David Smail has raced to the early lead in the New Zealand Open in Arrowtown.
Smail leads the tournament by a stroke after completing his first nine holes, the back nine, in 5-under-par.
He birdied his first two holes and also picked up shots on the 14th, 15th and 16th holes.
Australian Jarrod Lyle is one shot back, ahead of a big group on 3-under par that includes Australians Andrew Bonhomme and Andrew Buckle.
Dunedin's Mahal Pearce has had a mixed start, posting two bogies and two birdies through his first six holes.
Conditions are perfect at The Hills, without a breath of wind.
