Just over two months ago Jim Cusdin won the Tauranga Open but he didn't feature on many people's list of potential winners for this week's New Zealand Open.
The 26-year-old might not grasp the Brodie Breeze Trophy on Sunday, but his first round 68 at a windy Clearwater course in Christchurch today certainly set a few tongues wagging.
His four-under par round was good enough to have a share of the lead alongside Australian Brad Kennedy, one stroke ahead of Leigh McKechnie and Kiwi Doug Holloway.
Cusdin has spent the year working and balancing his golf commitments, but the Hamilton-based pro showed plenty of polish on the course.
He needed only 10 putts on a bumper first nine, which included eight consecutive one-putts.
"The front nine was awesome today in that wind. I just felt like, I don't know, I couldn't do anything wrong,'' Cusdin said.
"Then on the greens I was putting shots too, that went along with it, which was giving me confidence. On that front nine this morning if you missed any shots the wind just caught it.''
Despite winning the Tauranga Open, a Charles Tour event, he admitted it was nice to come in to this week with no expectations on him.
"There's obviously a lot of good players here ... You've got guys like Craig Parry and that who have won in the US. In saying that, it is, I suppose, a weaker field than normal. But yeah, nah, It's kind of good flying under the radar.''
Cusdin, who plays out of the Hamilton Golf Club, looked particularly strong off the tee during his round.
After a blistering front-nine, which featured six birdies and one bogey, it looked like it may turn pear-shaped when he double-bogeyed the 13th and dropped another on the 14th.
But, he kept his composure and finished with two birdies and a couple of pars.
"I said to my caddy Scotty my goal for this week, whatever happens, [is] just stay cool and that's golf.
"It was a tough day today. It was just grinding all day ... I'm happy with the end result on a day like this today. It's pretty unlikely you'll get around without having a bad shot or slightly missing one.''
Cusdin is hoping to base himself out of Melbourne next year and play on the PGA Tour of Australasia; if he keeps up his form this week, that won't be a problem.
In what was a challenging opening day, the players in the morning got the better of the conditions, with the wind less of a concern.
Only 13 players in the 144-strong field went under par on a round, which also featured a hole in one by Australian Jason Scrivener on the fourth.
Former champion Mahal Pearce carded a useful two-under 70, while fellow Kiwis Steve Alker, Josh Geary and Jordan Dasler were all one under.
Fan favourite and 2005 US Open champion Michael Campbell opened the day well and found himself at two under before he trailed off and finished the day at a disappointing five over.
Kiwi Phil Tataurangi also flirted with shooting a great round and was at three-under the card before he closed the day at one over.
Veteran Australian Parry is lurking in the field at two under, alongside Pearce and Nicholas Cullen.
Those who played in the afternoon today get the chance to experience the morning conditions tomorrow when the playing order reverses.
The wind has been unpredictable during the past few days but is at its strongest in the middle of the day so playing early doors is an advantage to beat the stiff breeze.
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