Searching for his first Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia win after a string of top-10s last season, Campbell was one of six players to card a 7-under 65 today to move to 11-under for the week, one shot ahead of James Conran (NSW).

New Zealander James Hydes sits in third alone at 9-under, with Daniel Fox (WA) a further shot back at 8-under after a 65 of his own today.

West Australian Braden Becker heads up a strong group of players tied seventh at 7-under after an albatross on the par-5 first hole kickstarted an incredible 7-under 30 on his second nine.

Although he enjoyed a breakout season on the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia last summer, including six top-10 finishes, a win eluded Campbell who ended the campaign in 14th on the Order of Merit.

“I got off to a good start and gave myself a lot of chances early,” Campbell said.

“Didn’t quite make that many putts but I managed to turn 1-under and then sort of just got on a run on the back nine.”

Starting his day on what has proved to be a more difficult back nine, the 34-year-old was able to capitalise on scoring opportunities in the latter part of his round, going 6-under on Royal Port Moresby’s front nine.

His surge up the leaderboard included seven threes in a row from the third to the eighth.

“Just really happy with where I’m at. I was putting it quite well and just hitting a lot of good shots, giving myself chances, which is the main thing you got to do around here,” he said.

“I feel like I’m in a great place with my game, a great place mentally, so just got to put myself in the fight. That’s all, I know I’m good enough to win.”

Second-placed Conran’s 65 included eight birdies with just the sole bogey at the par-4 seventh.

“I drove it in play for most of the day where you need to on those short par-4s, got it up next to the green and hit a few good chips and had tap-in birdies, then sort of just kept it going into the back nine,” said Conran.

“A good finish is pretty pivotal for me because I’m not actually a part of the tour this year.

“I’ve got a full membership category, so I don’t have that guaranteed start to each event. It’s nice to get a good week going here. I mean, a win would be great.”

Papua New Guinea amateur Morgan Annato fought hard today in his national open, carding a 1-under 71 to make the cut on the number at even-par.

Notable players to miss the cut included 2023 Webex Players Series South Australia winner Austin Bautista, as well as last year’s PNG Open runner-up Jack Murdoch.

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