Originally from Wauchope on the NSW Mid North coast but now residing in country Victoria, Bransdon holds a one-shot lead over a pair of New South Welshmen, Jay Mackenzie and former NSW Amateur star Lucas Higgins. Victorian Darcy Brereton is in outright fourth at six under.

Heading the chasers at four-under is former Japanese Tour winner Kurt Barnes, alongside James Conran, Brendan Smith, Jordan Mullaney and 2008 NSW Open champion Aaron Townsend.

Bransdon, who has played on the Japanese Tour for the past few months, was in sublime touch. Birdies at the second, third, fourth, sixth and ninth holes saw the veteran turn in just 31 shots. Another birdie on 12 saw him reach six-under.

His only bogey of the day came on the 13th, but it would prove to be only a temporary setback. Bransdon wasn’t phased and finished his round with a flourish. An impressive eagle on 15 set the scene, followed by a birdie on the testing par-3 17th.

Bransdon made the lead all his own, holing a handy 10-footer on the last for his eighth birdie of the day.

“It felt very refreshing,” said a happy Bransdon post-round. “It was a day when everything went in, and they don’t happen too often.

“Super happy with the way I played.”

Sitting one shot back of Bransdon is a formidable pair of rising stars in Lucas Higgins and Jay Mackenzie.

Mackenzie, a winner this year on the ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia at the CKB WA PGA Championship in Kalgoorlie, was also a very satisfied man post-round.

“I played pretty good, drove it straight, and holed some putts,” Mackenzie smiled. “There’s no putting green, so starting was a bit of a mystery. But when my very first putt of the day went in, I thought, Here we go! and just kept it going.”

With qualification for next year’s PLAY TODAY NSW Open already secure, the Ballina-based star is looking to this week as a chance to earn a bit of ‘bank’ before he attempts to secure his playing rights in Europe for 2023.

“It will help me get to European Tour School. I got into Second Stage so the money helps a lot.”

Playing alongside Mackenzie and Bransdon in tomorrow’s final group will be young Murwillumbah star, Lucas Higgins. The 23-year-old, who only turned professional in April last year and already has four pro-am victories under his belt, was also one happy player after his round.

“Pretty stoked,” he grinned. ” I got off to a slow start, and was only one-under after nine, but I holed a couple of putts and a bit of a fluke from over the back of the 13th green, then went on a bit of a tear.

“It didn’t feel like it was that exciting but I hit some close, and made some big putts.”

Although conditionally qualified for the PLAY TODAY NSW Open, Higgins is hopeful of securing his spot with a strong showing in tomorrow’s final round.

“I’ve won over 36 holes before at Wagga. I was tied for the lead there so hopefully I can convert it tomorrow,” he added.