New Zealander Ben Campbell leads the WA Goldfields PGA Championship following the first round played at Kalgoorlie Golf Club.

The round got off to a slow start with two weather delays but Campbell played a steady brand of golf which saw him finish the round with a course record equalling 7-under 65.

Coming through the turn Campbell was 3-under the card but felt he left a few on the front nine.

"When I turned 3-under, I was a little brassed off because I thought it could have been a couple more. It was playing quite easy on the front," said Campbell.

Things started to go his way on the back nine where he added an extra four birdies to his score card for a bogey free round.

"The back nine was playing a lot tougher I think; I hit a couple of good putts to make up for it." 

"I putted very solid inside six feet and didn’t really miss anything. I think I holed about three putts outside of that and I didn’t have a bogey out there so it was good."

Campbell was pleased to put a good score on the board in his first trip to Kalgoorlie after a tough couple of weeks on the PGA Tour of Australasia. 

"I’ve missed the last two cuts over here in Perth, I have been struggling with the putter this year so it was nice to get out there and hit a few shots close for tap in birdies," added Campbell. 

"I have been working on a few things and today was the first time that I didn’t second guess myself."

"It’s a been of a mix of everything, the strokes a bit better, I’m reading the greens better which in turn has given me confidence." 

While the young gun Kiwi leads he is closely followed by experienced Australian Professional Nathan Green.

Having spent most of his career competing in the US, Green is enjoying being back home and is playing well on the PGA Tour of Australasia.

"I played better than I expected last week so to start this week well is good," said Green who finished 19th at the ISPS HANDA Perth International. 

"It’s been a pretty lean year as far as good golf is concerned. Hopefully I can put four good rounds together again this week and have a strong Australian summer."  

Green was full of praise for the Kalgoorlie layout where he fired a 5-under 67 to be tied second with New South Welshman Luke Humphries and Victorian Chris Gaunt. 

"It’s really good solid golf course but it’s a little intimidating off the tee for someone who doesn’t drive it that well. It doesn’t give you much room for error," added Green.

"I wasn’t driving the ball that well today so I was hitting a lot of 3 woods. I got it in play a lot then putted really well." 

"The greens are pretty receptive today; they weren’t too hard and gave my putts a good run." 

"It was there to have a good score today so luckily I putted well and had a good one."