BENDIGO'S Kris Mueck fired a course record 64 to grab a two-shot lead after the opening round of the New Zealand PGA Championship in Auckland.
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Mueck's eight-under par at Remuera Golf Club included a blistering finish of seven-under par on his final seven holes.
"The last seven holes I managed to make a few birdies and sneak an eagle in there so it was nice to finish in that fashion," Mueck told www.pga.org.au.
"There is a long way to go and there are a lot of good players here. So I think there is potential for it (course record) to be broken again, but it's another feather in the cap."
Mueck leads Josh Geary by two shots, with a group of five players a further shot back.
Mueck's round included seven birdies, one eagle and one bogey.
After making the turn at two-under par, Mueck's round look to be stalling when he bogeyed the par-four 10th.
However, the bogey sparked Mueck into action.
He birdied the 12th, eagled the par-five 13th and added birdies on the 14th, 16th, 17th and 18th to sign for a 64.
It's the second time this season Mueck has led an event.
The Axedale product led the Victorian Open after the first round only to fall away over the weekend.
"I was leading the Vic Open and finished 35th or something like that so obviously leading after round one doesn't mean much," Mueck said.
"Obviously as you get in this position more you get more experienced, hopefully I have learnt."
Mueck starts his second round at 12.25pm Auckland time.