New Zealander Tim Wilkinson stormed to the early lead in the first round of the $1.5 million Australian PGA Championship at Coolum.
The 30 year-old left-hander, who earned more the $1 million on the US PGA Tour this year, sizzled to five under the card halfway through his first round in ideal conditions at the Hyatt Regency Coolum course.
He led from 2006 US Open champion Geoff Ogilvy and another Victorian, Peter Nolan, who were both four under the card.
Wilkinson played 29 tournaments in his rookie season on the US main tour this year, making 17 cuts and posting an three top 10 finishes.
Ogilvy started at the 10th hole with a birdie then produced and a spectacular eagle at the 479m par five 12th hole where he smacked his two iron to within two metres of the hole.
American John Daly was battling on the water-laced course early, stumbling to a double bogey after putting a ball in the drink at the par three 11th hole.
He then birdied the 12th, bogeyed the 14th and birdied the 15th to be one over and back in the pack after an opening nine of 37.
