Kelly leads by one at 12-under from Japan’s Kotono Fukaya (68) while two of the pacesetters on day one, Lincoln Tighe and Michael Hendry have moved up into a share of third early in their second rounds.

Tied for third at the NT PGA Championship in the second event of the season, the 36-year-old had five birdies in his first six holes on Friday morning.

He made the turn in 6-under and moved to 7-under with a birdie at the par-5 first. A dropped shot on two would be his only blemish of the day as he matched the low mark of the week set by Tighe on Thursday.

Andrew Kelly is the clubhouse leader at 12-under at Cobram Barooga GC

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Fukaya, a 25-year-old who earned her WPGA Tour card at Qualifying School last week, heads the strong Japanese contingent at Cobram Barooga.

She holed out with 9-iron from 130 metres for eagle at the par-4 seventh to build on her opening round of 8-under 63 that saw her share the lead with Tighe after Round 1.

A recent graduate of the University of Michigan, Malaysia’s Ashley Lau played her way into contention on Friday morning, her round of 7-under 64 moving her into a tie for 12th as the afternoon groups get to the midway point of their rounds.

The projected cut is 2-under with 52 players currently inside the number.

The final two rounds of the Webex Players Series Murray River will be broadcast live on Fox Sports and Kayo, the third round coverage to begin at 4pm on Saturday with final round to be broadcast live from 2pm-7pm AEDT.

The weekend also sees the playing of the Webex All Abilities Players Series and Webex Junior Players Series.

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