Young Pupuke golfer Lydia Ko has a share of the lead after the first round of the North Island Strokeplay Championships in Taupo.
The 12-year-old defending champion shot a three-under par 70 to share the lead with Auckland's Alana Wylie on a hard and fast Centennial course.
They hold a two shot lead over Tokoroa's Kelly Nicholas.
Several of the favoured players had slows starts with New Zealand Amateur champion Cecilia Cho shooting a two over 75 and New Zealand strokeplay champion Zoe Brake had two double bogeys in her four-over 77.
The tournament finishes on Friday.
