The Australian contingent has made a ripping start to the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship in New Zealand.
With three of the six Aussies off in the morning wave at Royal Wellington, Shae Wools-Cobb is the early leader after four birdies in his opening seven holes.
The young Queenslander made a hat-trick of birdies to begin his round after teeing off on the 10th hole and dropping a 7m putt.
And only a couple of near misses in the middle of the back nine prevented him from putting a gap into the field early.
Among the chasing pack is Perth’s Min Woo Lee, who three-putted the 11th after also making birdie on the 10th, but then hit back with birdies on the 14th and 15th to share second at two under.
Harrison Endycott, of Sydney, also took three putts on the 11th hole, but has since made all pars to sit in a share of 21st at one over par.
Travis Smyth, Charlie Dann and Dylan Perry are all playing in the afternoon wave.
The winner of the region’s most prized amateur trophy also wins playing rights to the 2018 Masters and Open Championship.