Australian Matias Sanchez seized the clubhouse lead with a flawless 64 after a rain-delayed opening day at the New Zealand Open presented by Millbrook Resort.

AUSTRALIAN Matias Sanchez carded a bogey-free seven-under-par 64 on the Remarkables course to snatch the clubhouse lead after a long and weather-disrupted opening day at the New Zealand Open presented by Millbrook Resort.

Sanchez, who holed his final putt in fading light at 8.26pm, leads by two strokes from American veteran Kevin Na and fellow Australian Wade Ormsby, who both opened with rounds of 66.

Heavy rain caused a three-hour delay to the start of play, with nearly half the field unable to complete their first rounds before play was suspended due to darkness at 8.15pm local time.

Kiwi amateur Yuki Miya was the leading player still on the course, sitting at six-under-par with five holes left to play when the hooter sounded.

Sanchez, who won the Webex Players Series South Australia last October, made four birdies on the front nine and three on the back in a polished display.

“I was just really happy to get it done, get the round in,” said Sanchez, who acknowledged the long road ahead despite his strong start.

Kevin Na, the Asian Tour’s Rookie of the Year 24 years ago, rolled back the years with a bogey-free 66 of his own on the Remarkables layout.

The 42-year-old American, who spent the past four years on the LIV Golf League, said he was enjoying a fresh perspective on the game after a break from competition.

Wade Ormsby posted his 66 on the Coronets course and will look to build on his position when he switches to the Remarkables for his second round.

The five-time Asian Tour winner expressed his desire to claim a first victory on the Australasian circuit this week.

New Zealand’s rising star Kazuma Kobori sits alone in sixth place after a 68 that featured a hole-in-one on the par-three fourth but was marred by a closing bogey after finding water on his final hole.

A group of eight players, including New Zealand’s 54-year-old Champions Tour star Steven Alker, are tied for seventh after opening with rounds of 68.

The first round will resume at 7.40am local time on Tuesday.

 The Sun Malaysia