A former Bay of Plenty junior was the surprise leader after round one of the Carrus Open played at the Tauranga Golf Club yesterday.
Te Anau professional David Klein came home strong in the gusting winds to claim the first round lead in the eighth-annual $40,000 Charles Tour event.
The 22-year-old began on the 11th tee and birdied his final four holes to card a seven-under par 63 and earn a one shot lead from Troy Ropiha, who eagled the par four third hole on his way to a superb 64. Peter Spearman-Burn, two-time champion Josh Geary, Kieran Muir and Richard Lee all shot four-under 66.
Local amateurs Sam Davis (Tauranga) and Hayden Beard (Mount Maunganui) are both in the top 10 after excellent rounds of two-under 68.
Klein struggled early on and says he was lucky to still be on even par after his first seven holes before two booming drives changed his momentum.