Nelson golfer Ryan Chisnall is the best-placed Kiwi after the opening round of the Australian PGA golf championship on the Gold Coast.
Chisnall holds a four-way tie for third, after firing four-under-par 68 at the Royal Pines Resort.
Australians Lucas Herbert and Brett Rankin are five under par, with a one-shot lead over a group that includes Chisnall.
Fellow Kiwis Ryan Fox, Nick Volke, Harry Bateman and David Smail are another shot back, tied for eighth.
Heading into the final tournament of the year, Fox led the Australasian Tour's order of merit and retaining that spot would secure entry into lucrative events for 2020.
He would earn a spot at the British Open, and invitations to World Golf Championship events in Mexico and the United States.
Fox, a winner at February's World Super 6 in Perth, currently leads Aussie Zach Murray by nearly $75,000, with Brad Kennedy about $90,000 adrift in third.
"There’s some nice bonuses there and these are the events you want to be playing in," said Fox, after his first round.
"It's always nice having them on your schedule early in the year, so you can build around them."
Fox was also pleased with the number of Kiwis near the top of the standings after the first round.
"We've got a lot of guys coming through that are ready to win, ready to compete out here.
"It's a nice place to be for the Kiwis and hopefully we can get a few of them on bigger tours worldwide as well."
