Australian Professional Dale Brandt-Richards has fired an opening round of 6-under-par 64 to lead the Tahiti International Golf Open after round one.

Brandt-Richards holds a one stroke lead from Steve Aisbett and New Zealand’s Hayden Beard.

Played around the Jack Nicklaus designed Moorea Green Pearl Course, Brandt-Richards recorded seven birdies, including five around the difficult and undulating back-9.

“I played really solid today. It is a course you have to think your way around and play smart. It demands a lot of good iron shots which I was able to do,” explained Brandt-Richards.

While Brandt-Richards is only in his second season as a Professional golfer, he is quickly building a solid reputation with prominent finishes on the ISPS HANDA PGA Tour ofAustralasia including a third place finish in the Queensland Open. A consummate professional, Brandt-Richards is a player to watch.

Defending Champion Callan O’Reilly opened his tournament steadily recording a 1-over-par round of 71 to sit in a tie for ninth. Other notables include Peter Wilson (67), Michael Wright (68) and New Caledonian amateur Morgan Dufour (70).

President of the Polynesian Golf Federation Christian Lausan welcomed all the international players, sponsors and guests and commended the staff of Green Pearl Course.

“The course is very good and we are delighted to have the international players here. There are some very good scores today but I know the course will still prove a challenge for the players this week," Lausan said.

The Tahiti International Golf Open is a tournament sanctioned by the PGA of Australia with the prime objective to promote golf development and tourism in French Polynesia.

International competition such as the Tahiti International Open will expose local golfers to international standards of completion as well as attracting both amateur and professional golfers from surrounding Pacific nations.

For a full list of scores visit pga.org.au.