It’s early days at the Holden NZ PGA Championship but already
Kiwi golf fans like what they see at the top of the leaderboard.

Playing in the morning field Mark Brown made his intentions known early making an eagle at the par-5 1^st.

Igniting his round, Brown went on to fire seven birdies and three bogeys for a first round 7-under 65.

"I got out nice and early this morning and the course was in good shape," said Brown.

"I eagled the first which really set the tone. All the way through I was picking up birdies, it was just really steady."

Brown has played just two events on the PGA Tour of Australasia this season with today’s score being his best to date.

"There was a little bit of rust there but it was nice to knock in a few putts today," he said.

"For me if I can get the putter working a bit it always helps. I certainly rolled in a few today which was nice."

While the home country advantage might be mitigated at Remuera Golf Club, a course Brown doesn’t get to play often, he is finding the layout and conditions to his liking.

"We don’t play it a lot so we don’t have the home course advantage that everyone thinks but it suits me well."

"Last year it got pretty dry and bouncy to hold some of those fairways. Being it a little bit softer those balls are now staying in the fairway and it is playing a bit easier. It suits my game well so hopefully that carries on."

Sitting just a shot behind Brown is Queenslander Brett Rankin who fired 6-under 66 despite having a wild day on course with his driver.

A shot further back again is New South Welshman Aaron Townsend, while Kristopher Mueck (VIC), Daniel Nisbet (QLD), Taylor Macdonald (QLD) and Tom Power Horan (VIC) round out the top-5 after the morning field.The afternoon field are now on course.