One has been round the block and the other is slowly getting used to being on the big stage.
But both New Zealanders, Gareth Paddison and Harry Bateman, had good first rounds at Millbrook at the New Zealand Open yesterday.
Paddison (37) put out a solid 6-under-par 65 while Bateman (26) went one better with a 64, including a back nine of just 29, making him the leading New Zealander in the field.
Paddison, from Wellington, was a top amateur and then went professional in the early 2000s.
But he has never really cracked the big time, although he has qualified for the Asian Tour this year.
He made a good start to his round yesterday and tallied six birdies with no bogeys as the scoring went low.
He said he was pleased to have made a good start.
"I have not started that well for the last few years. Last year I did 2-under, and then missed the cut, and 6-under today," he said.
"It was putting. That is what I put it down to. I made some changes with my coach before I played, in the last couple of days. That enabled me to get off the tee properly."
He just changed his alignment when hitting the ball and said coach Ian Godelman being with him this week was a big help.
"It is a great way to start. Usually the first round for me is quite quiet.
"I have made some really big changes in the past two years and I am starting to play some better golf. These changes take time and to build up confidence."
Bateman charged home yesterday with six birdies in his back nine for a rare 29.
His round was muddling along before he launched a huge drive on the 17th hole, which led to an eagle. He had started on the 10th tee.
He said he "scratched around" initially, then caught fire and came home well.
"I had 240m to the hole and I thought `go for it' and it was two foot [from the hole]."
The Muriwai golfer had virtually the equivalent shot at practice so he decided to go for it. He managed to put the ball in the water on the following hole but from then on was on fire with the 29 in his final nine holes.
"I have had it [29] before at Harewood Open last year and I ended up winning it. Yeah, it could be a good omen."
He had a big family following on the course and said it was great to have that support.
