The young players on Tour have all made a move to chase down
the winning opportunity on offer this week in Papua New Guinea.

The South Pacific Export Radler PNG Open has joined the PGA Tour of Australasia schedule for the first time this week and as a result the winner will enjoy full exemption on the Tour until the end of 2017.

Heading the charge after the first round is 23-year-old Cory Crawford who is playing on Tour for the first time after securing his card via Qualifying School.

Making a smooth transition into the Pro ranks, Crawford fired 5-under 67 thanks to a hot start at Royal Port Moresby Golf Club.

"I got off to a hot start and played quite nicely but gave back a few late. That’s just the luck of the course. I got a couple of bad bounces and a couple of good ones as well, so I can’t complain," said Crawford, who finished tied eighth in his last start on Tour.

"I had a top-10 at the Queensland PGA so I played nicely there. I have been practicing well and training hard at Sanctuary Cove, so my form has been good."

"I am gradually getting into my first year on the Tour. I am learning a few new things and slowly getting there."

Also opening with a 5-under 67 is Daniel Bringolf, whose round was highlighted by an eagle on the par-5 15^th.

"I hit a pretty good drive down the left and had about 200 metres in for my next. I hit a solid shot, just short left of the green and managed to hole the chip, which was pretty good," said Bringolf, who is hunting a win this week to ensure he receives starts for the remainder of the 2016 season.

"I have minimal status this year so a win here would set me up and I could structure my schedule a little bit more."

Amateur Anthony Quayle has travelled to Papua New Guniea in an effort to gain Professional tournament experience and opened with a 4-under 68.

"I didn’t have a bogey all day so it was four birdies which was nice. I definitely gave myself a lot of opportunities today; I just couldn’t convert all of them. That is pretty normal and I am still happy with what I had," said Quayle.

"My goal this year is to play as many Professional events as I can to make that transition into the Professional ranks a little easier."

"The PGA has been very good to me and helped me out so I am starting to feel quite comfortable, I feel like my good stuff will be competitive."  

Flying the flag for New Zealand is another rookie Tae Koh who also opened his campaign with 4-under 68.

Koh played the opening shot of the 2016 South Pacific Export Radler PNG Open as well as recording the first birdie.

It’s an excellent start for Koh, who in his first season has played four tournaments but is yet to cash his first cheque as a Pro.

With AU$140,000 prize purse on offer this week a good result would help Koh retain his Tour card.

Rounding out the top-5 on the leaderboard after the morning field are Tom Bond, Kristopher Mueck and Mitchell A. Brown who all fired opening rounds of 3-under 69.