Australian golfer Steve Jones has bounced back from a poor start to shoot a first-round six-under-par 66 and lead the New Zealand Open in Queenstown.
The Victorian is one shot ahead of New South Welshman Callan O'Reilly, while rookie professional Joshua Munn is the highest-placed New Zealander in third, one stroke further back.
Jones, starting on the 10th tee at The Hills in tough conditions on Thursday morning, opened with two bogeys.
But he fought back with six birdies over the next eight holes and closed in style by picking up further shots on his last two holes.
"It's funny, when you have a good score, the conditions don't seem that bad," he said.
"It was just a weird day. It was hard. It was raining with no wind, then it was perfect for about six holes, then it got really windy again."
The 32-year-old took last year off to care for his family while wife Kate received treatment for a brain tumour.
"I wasn't sure when I was going to be able to play again," he said.
"It was tough. But I didn't miss playing for a long time."
After his wife's health improved and, with her encouragement, Jones made a return to the PGA Tour of Australasia.
Munn, 25, carded his 68 at Millbrook, the other course being used for the $NZ1.05 million ($A948,000) tournament.
He made a great start by chipping in for eagle, before adding four birdies and two bogeys over the rest of his round.
The next highest-placed New Zealanders are a group of four tied for 10th at two under - pre-tournament favourite Ryan Fox, Peter Smith, Craig Palmer and Daniel Pearce.
