Auckland driving range pro Sam Malcolmson got among the action early in the second round of the New Zealand Open golf championship today.
Malcolmson was the joint clubhouse leader on six-under-par 134 after blitzing the 5962m Grange course with a morning round of six-under 64.
That matched the best efforts of yesterday'sfirst round from a quartet of players, including New Zealand amateur Brad Heaven and Australian trio Peter O'Malley, Ben Bunny and Wade Ormsby.
The cloud cover of yesterday lifted this morning, exposing the course to a drying sun which will firm greens which have so far been very receptive.
Malcolmson began badly by posting a bogey five on his first hole, the ninth.
But he then birdied the 12th, 14th, 15th to make the turn at two-under and then birdied the first, third and fifth holes on his way home.
Australian Terry Price was also on 134 after shooting 65, featuring an eagle three on the 500m sixth hole.
Australians Chris Campbell, Lucas Parsons and Ormsby were on 137 after firing 70, 71 and 73 respectively.
Irish amateur Darren Crowe flourished, following his first-round 73 with a 65 which left him on 138, alongside Australia's Andrew Buckle, who shot 70 today.
Heaven, 23, continued to shine today, moving to nine-under for the tournament after 12 holes despite bogeying his opening hole.
The afternoon rounds will see O'Malley and Bunny try to keep pace with Heaven, while Sir Bob Charles was set for his final round at a New Zealand Open.
Charles, 67, is making his last appearance at the championship and his hopes of making the second-round cut evaporated yesterday when he opened with a 74.
The galleries were building late this morning as people milled about awaiting Charles' arrival at the course.
