Trans-Tasman duo equal course record

Northland’s Luke Brown and Australia’s Jordan Garner both carded rounds of five-under to equal the course record and lead the New Zealand Amateur Championship at the Russley Golf Club.

The pair hold a two-shot lead over Jose De Sousa entering the second and final round of qualifying on Thursday, with the top 32 golfers progressing to the match-play stages.

After competing at one of the world’s most prestigious amateur events in Wellington last week, Brown was primed for an assault at the country’s premier amateur title.

‘‘It was solid today, I went out there to try and take advantage of no wind and I am really happy with how my game has progressed after the Asia-Pacific Amateur,’’ Brown said.

‘‘Obviously the New Zealand Amateur is a prestigious event, but New Zealand Amateur Championship Men (Par 72):

67 - Jordan Garner (Australia), Luke Brown (The Pines)

69 - Jose De Sousa (New Zealand)

70 - Fraser MacLachlan (Millbrook Resort & Country Club), Jared Edwards (Royal Auckland and Grange), James Hydes (Wainui), Daniel Hillier (Manor Park), Ryan Chisnall (Greenacres)

Women’s (Par 72):

73 - Amelia Garvey (Kaiapoi)

74 - Silvia Brunotti (North Shore), Juliana Hung (Russley)

75 - Chantelle Cassidy (Riverside), Miree Jung (Titirangi

76 - Carmen Lim (Windross Farm Golf Course), Tara Raj (Wanganui)

77 - Fuuka Higashi (Rangiora), Caitlin Maurice (Omokoroa), Joanna Kim (Pakuranga) it felt like I was just enjoying my round with a few mates after the big crowds last week.’’

As predicted, the Australians are making themselves well-known, but Garner was the most impressive of them all after making six birdies and one eagle on Wednesday afternoon in his 67.

‘‘I got off to a solid start and the course is in great knick which helps and then my putter got hot through the middle stages which was pleasing,’’ Garner said.

After his courageous victory last year, Louis Dobbelaar has raised the awareness of the New Zealand Amateur with 16 Australians playing this week.

‘‘Louis winning last year was really good for Australians, so knowing we can compete over here is great and it’s nice to get out of the comfort zone,’’ Garner said.

The 18-year-old has played in a high-quality run of events with the recent Western Australian and Queensland Opens as his preparation for this trip.

Further back there is a plethora of quality players with Fraser MacLachlan returning to the game to be tied with New Zealand representatives Daniel Hillier and Ryan Chisnall in fourth place.

There is a log-jam at the top of the women’s field and it’s no surprise to see Canterbury’s Amelia Garvey once again at the top of the list.

With a total of one-over par, she holds a slim one-shot lead over Russley’s own Juliana Hung and North Shore’s Sylvia Brunotti.

‘‘It’s awesome to be able to know the course, it’s one of my home tracks, so it makes a big difference,’’ Garvey said.

With five birdies, the current New Zealand stroke-play champion is confident she can produce even lower scores and potentially add to her trophy cabinet.

‘‘It would be unreal and certainly cap off a good year. To even win one of the major titles is great, but to win both is unimaginable.’’