New Zealand’s Josh Geary and New South Wales local Ben Clementson have a one shot lead in the early stages of the Lawnmaster Horizon Golf NZ PGA Championship.

Geary and Clementson both shot 6-under 65 to hold at bay a pack of four players in Deyen Lawson, Sean Riordan, Daniel Nisbet and Andrew Martin who all scored 5-under 66 in the morning session of round one.

“I played great today, I drove the ball really well so I was in great position all day and made a few good putts too so it was a pretty solid day,” Geary said after his round.

The Manawatu course is no stranger to Geary and the local knowledge has paid off early in the tournament, he’s hoping his good start can continue in to the remaining three rounds.

“I’ve played well on this course in the past and it’s pretty demanding off the tee so if you’re driving the ball well, it’s there for the taking.

“I’d love to win that’s what I’m here for, that’s what everyone is here for, I’ll just keep doing what I’m doing and hopefully it all comes together on Sunday.”

Geary’s compatriot Sean Riordan is the next best placed local in the field, he handed in a blemish free card to currently sit in the four way tie for third.

“Bogey free today which is always nice first up,” Riordan said after his solid start.

“I started with a couple of birdies in the first two holes which got me off to a flyer, my middle patch was a little bit slow but I kicked back in with a couple of birdies on 10, 12 and 17.”

Riordan is another who is relying on his past experiences on the course but said he was impressed with the condition of the track.

“I’ve played here a few times as an amateur and this is probably the best I’ve seen the golf course, the greens are really nice and the fairways are really good to hit out of.”

Given his knowledge of the course, Riordan is not fazed by the predicted winds to come at the weekend and when asked if he’d change of plan of attack he said there won’t be too many adjustments.

“Probably not, I’ll stick to the same game plan, I just might hit a few different clubs of certain tees to try and hit those same areas.

“Apart from that I’ll just stick to what I’m doing.”

The afternoon field is currently on course.