New Zealand under-19 representative Mark O'Malley set the early pace with a two-under-par 70 in the first round of the South Island under-19 championship on the Levels course in Timaru yesterday.
O'Malley (Russley) made the most of excellent conditions starting with four birdies in the opening five holes.
He was matched by Tasman's Ryan Chisnall (15), who was the only other player to better the par of 72.
Chisnall holds a three-shot lead in the under-17 section while Jack Harling (Christchurch) and Tom Pearson (Christchurch) lead the under-15 and under-13 sections.
Otago's boys were well below their best with Duncan Croudis (Otago) and Kayne Wardell (Allen Grange) posting the best scores on 78.
It was up to the Otago girls to show the way, Arrowtown's Laura Hoskin (80) holding a one-shot lead over Shani Arona.
The South Island teams event is being held in conjunction with the individual event, and Canterbury is leading the under-19 event by two strokes from Tasman.
Aorangi holds a healthy 12-stroke lead over Canterbury in the under-16 section.
After a lacklustre day, Otago is in third place in each contest.
The girls' team event has become nothing short of a farce, Canterbury being the only team to have fielded the required five players.
