Experienced Australian David Bransdon and young New Zealander James Anstiss share the first-round lead after a day-long trans-Tasman battle for supremacy at the Vic Open at 13th Beach.
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Bransdon jumped out of the blocks with an eight-under-par 64 - the same score he carded in the opening round of last year's tournament - a total matched by Anstiss, playing only his second tournament as a professional.
Another rising Kiwi star, Nick Voke, was tied for third with Australian Peter Wilson, after they carded 65s on Thursday.
A shot further back were Australian amateur star David Micheluzzi, countryman Taylor Macdonald and New Zealander Harry Bateman.
Bransdon brought good form into the Vic Open, having finished in a tie for fourth behind winner Cameron Smith at his most-recent start in early December at the Australian PGA.
He also did enough on his inaugural year on the Japanese tour in 2017 to retain a conditional card for the upcoming season.
"The Aussie and Kiwi boys up there kept calling me rookie which was quite strange, as I turned 44 at the end of last year," said Bransdon.
"It was new; I learnt some new courses - I liked some of them; didn't like some of them.
"It is what it is and, this year, I'll have a better go."
Anstiss, 22, has made an immediate impact after turning pro following a three-year stint at college in Louisiana.
"It's always nice shooting 64 and being the co-leader early - it's much better than shooting 80 and not being in it," said Anstiss who, like Bransdson, will have a late second-round tee-time on Friday when the wind is again expected to pick up.
"I love the wind - that's when I play my best golf.
"I've got a good gameplan and I'll stick to that."
Australian Dimi Papadatos made a good start to his title defence, opening with a five-under 67 to be tied for eighth.
It was a far cry from his previous competitive round, when he shot a horror 81 to miss the cut at the Australian PGA on the Gold Coast.
"I had a break after that and did some work over Christmas and it's started to pay off," said Papadatos.
"I seem to do it every year.
"I play too many tournaments, really pushing, trying to get into Europe and never quite getting there yet, unfortunately.
"I sort of burn out and get frustrated, all the travel starts taking a toll and you end up shooting bad scores."
