Burns is 13-under par and leads by seven from Victorian Lucien Tinkler, with John Wade a shot further back in third.

Peter Lonard and Peter Fowler are at 4-under, while Peter O’Malley and Mike Harwood are tied for sixth at 3-under.

The near gale force winds, which buffeted the course for most of the day, meant little to Burns, who with the help of a red-hot putter, muscled six birdies and an eagle.

Just five players in the 110 strong field managed to break par.

“I had a ball out there today,” Burns said. “I got off to a good start. I holed a 30-footer on the first hole, then holed a bunker shot on the fifth for eagle.”

“I had a win at Worrigee links about a week and a half ago and it was blowing maybe 80 to 90km/h then.”

“Out here felt like a gentle breeze compared to it. I’m five-foot four. I suppose I’m a little bit under the wind. I’ve always hit the ball quite low, so it doesn’t affect me much.”

Burns said he didn’t see a 65 as a possibility when he teed off, given the turbulent conditions and the threat of lightning.

Like most players he was well aware today was going to be a mental battle as much as anything else.

“I didn’t really, but I call these types of days a quiet mind day, and I’ve had two in a row,” he said.

“The little man behind the brain didn’t talk too much – and I hit a few good shots.”

As quiet as his head was, Burns was also unaware of how well he was faring until he saw the leader board behind the 18th green.

Although a seven-shot lead looks insurmountable, Burns is not taking anything for granted.

“I’ve played club pro events and had similar leads. It’s pretty hard to play to,” he said.

“At seven ahead you’ve got to decide to keep on being aggressive or go for the middle of the greens.

“I’ll just have a couple of beers, some tea tonight and a good night’s sleep and see if I can do it again tomorrow.”