Two of the leaders at the New Zealand Open were preaching the importance of banking a good first round yesterday.
Four Australians - two-time European Tour winner Scott Strange and the relatively unheralded trio of Andrew Dodt, Jake Stirling and Terry Pilkadaris - shared the lead after each carded a 6-under-par 66 at Millbrook.
In a reversal of what was expected, most (12 of 16) of the best rounds were recorded at Millbrook, where the calm conditions and slower greens made for some comfortable scoring.
The leading bunch will feel at ease knowing they can focus on one course, The Hills, for the next three days, and they have tucked away a good score in what may be the best weather of the week.
Organisers and players alike are a little anxious about the forecast, with a cool start and possibly some showers expected today.
Dodt only scraped into the tournament on a tournament invitation but he revelled in a return to the area - but a different course - where he finished second in the New Zealand Open four years ago.
He enjoyed having his father-in-law, Brett Odgers, as his caddy again, and was pleased with a round that featured six birdies and no bogies.
''It was just a solid game of golf. I think I missed one green, and I holed some nice putts,'' Dodt said.
''I didn't really hole too many long ones. I just hit it close enough and holed the ones I should make.''
Dodt's shot of the round was on the par-3 second hole at Millbrook, where he hit 4-iron uphill to about 2.5m.
He is excited about today's second round and the prospect of carding a solid round at The Hills to prepare for the weekend.
''When you get off to a good start, you feel like you're in front of the field a bit. If the weather is pretty ordinary, a good round today makes up for that.''
Strange was hardly delighted with his round but he acknowledged it was pleasing to be at the top of the leaderboard.
He, too, was wary of how the weather might affect the second round.
''I don't do the cold that well,'' Strange said.
''I think it's pretty crucial to have a good score on the board. If it gets cold and wet, you might have a few shots to play with.
"Six-under is a good number to have. You have that little cushion if the weather is bad.''
Strange was most pleased with his par on No 4 at Millbrook. He hit it deep in the rough, chipped out, and got up and down from 130m.
He was not surprised scoring was better at Millbrook.
''There are a few par-5s that guys will get home on, and a few short par-4s.
''The back nine is a bit different but they are playing a few holes up, which makes them shorter. It definitely feels like you can score there. The greens are a bit flatter.''
The best of the New Zealanders were Mark Brown (5-under), Dominic Barson, Richard Lee and Mathew Perry (all 4-under).
Perry made a huge charge at Millbrook with six birdies through his first 10 holes, before slipping back with a double bogey and a bogey.
Josh Geary was in sizzling form after starting off No 10 at The Hills.
He made a stunning birdie on No 13 after chipping out of the bunker, and holed a birdie putt off the edge of the 15th green. But he faltered in his second nine, dropping three shots.
Ryan Fox, with father Grant on his bag, finished at 2-under. Former champions Greg Turner and Michael Long both finished 1-under-par at Millbrook.
Pre-tournament favourite Michael Hendry cut a frustrated figure at Millbrook as he posted an even-par 72, although he is hardly out of the race.
Star recruit Rocco Mediate (par), Otago professional Mahal Pearce (1-over) and defending champion Jake Higginbottom (2-over) will all need to pick up shots today if they are to make the cut.
Takafumi Kawane (3-under) was the best of the Japanese golfers in the field.
The star attraction in the pro-am field, Australian cricket great Ricky Ponting, showed his ability with the club by posting seven birdies at Millbrook.
Western Australian professional Brody Ninyette finished 1-over but he and partner Sam Hamilton lead the pro-am section with a team score of 13-under.
