PGA professional Jared Pender of Tauranga, the most consistent player this year without a win in New Zealand, took care of that stat with a vengeance at the Old Leithfield Hotel Rangiora Pro-Am.
Pender was out in 32 with four birdies, three in a row from the fifth hole, and made four more on the back nine before missing a very short putt on the par three 17th hole for his lone bogey. However another birdie on the 18th to be back in 32 had him posting an eight under par round of 64 to set a new course record.
Richard Lee of North Harbour, hot off his Kaikoura win, was one shot back in second place with seven birdies in a flawless round of 65.
Leighton James from Hastings took out third placing with a 67, followed by Fraser Wilkin (Auckland) on 68.
Leading scores
