Golf: Brown starts strong then tempers at NZ Amateurs

Luke Brown set a course record on the first day of the New Zealand Men's Amateurs but couldn't match that pace in the second round. Photo / BW Media

Luke Brown managed to hit a course record at Russley Golf Club on the opening day of the New Zealand Men's Amateurs - only to have it broken less than 24 hours later.

Northland's number one was in fine form in the first round as he fired a five-under 67 to share the lead and record with Australia's Jordan Garner.

Of the first round, Brown said he was feeling good about how he went.

"It was solid today, I went out there to try and take advantage of no wind and I am really happy with how my game has progressed after the Asia-Pacific Amateur," he said.

"Obviously the New Zealand Amateur is a prestigious event, but it felt like I was just enjoying my round with a few mates after the big crowds last week."

He struck five birdies in a bogey-free round to prime him for a challenge at the title.

No one was expecting the course record to be broken as soon as it was but unheralded Gore golfer Scott Hellier provided one of the great rounds of golf.

The world 1643rd ranked amateur hit 12 birdies to end with a sublime 60, smashing Brown and Garner's record by seven shots.

The round bumped Hellier up 42 places to hold the lead by one stroke at eight-under.

However his second round wasn't as smooth as he wanted it to be.

Brown mixed three birdies with seven bogeys to go round in 76, putting him one-under for the tournament.

He will start the third round seven shots off Hellier's pace.