Auckland professional Richard Lee and Fijian professional Vikrant Chandra are the round one leaders of the Carrus Open after a superb day of scoring in the sun at the Tauranga Golf Club.

Lee, 41, claimed the early clubhouse lead after delivering an impressive back nine charge – making four twos on his inward nine of five-under par 29 to sign for an impressive 64.

Carrus Open day one leader Richard Lee. Photo: Supplied.

This was matched in the late afternoon sun by 25-year-old Chandra, sinking seven birdies and a bogey in his first appearance at the $40,000 Charles Tour event to share the round one honours.

Lee and Chandra hold a one shot lead over Wellington professional Harry Bateman (65) with another nine players two shots further back after posting rounds of three-under par 67.

Three-time champion Josh Geary and 2012 champion Mark Brown opened with rounds of two-under par 68 to be tied 13th while Muriwai Open Champion Ryan Fox is a further shot back in a share of 20th.

Lee, who shot a course record 59 here in 2010, kick-started his round with a drive to the 280m par four 2nd which lipped out for an albatross and stopped only six inches past the hole.

'I made eagle there and I hit a couple of really nice iron shots on the par threes after that. I ended up making four twos on my back nine to post a good number.”

Lee, who began on the 11th, got off to a 'scratchy start” when he missed his first two greens but he got up and down and turned things around.

'My form isn't quite there. I scored well today but I am still not that happy with how I am hitting it.”

The former Thailand Open Champion says this Carrus Open is even more important to him considering his lack of tournament play in 2014.

He has qualified for the upcoming Nanshan China Masters on the OneAsia Tour and then the ISPS Perth Invitational after that and wants to play under pressure.

'I want to play well this week but I also want to work on a few things and prepare for the big events coming up. Today's round had some good moments. If you birdie the par threes you normally have a pretty good round. It is nice to get off to a good start.”

Also making a good start was Chandra.

The rookie professional, who won the Fiji Amateur a record four times in succession, enjoyed his debut round at the Tauranga Golf Club which he described as 'really solid”.

He feels right at home on the layout that isn't too long and suits his game nicely.

'I am not a long hitter. I like to shape the ball and I did that today on the par fours and I hit some beautiful iron shots out there. It was pleasing to make a lot of putts.”

Chandra says his form has been inconsistent coming into this week. He has been struggling on the greens but that all changed yesterday.

'I went back to my old putter and it felt really good, my putting of old came back today. It was nice to see them all go in.”

Chandra has previously played the LawnMaster Classic and the ask>metro Muriwai Open. He loves playing on the Charles Tour.

'I love coming to New Zealand and playing new courses. It was nice to play Tauranga in the sun.”

He plans to take the rest of the tournament one day at a time and will look to make a move on Saturday.

'I haven't been in this position a lot so we will just see how it goes. I only got my card this year so I am hoping for bigger and better things to come.”

Meanwhile Geary also hopes there are bigger and better things to come.

The 29-year-old, who is looking to qualify for the Web.Com Tour again, is hoping to keep alive his perfect winning record of three wins from three starts at the Carrus Open but was less than impressed by his performance on the greens.

'I am just frustrated.

'A lot of putts, slid by, lipped out, just missed, I hit it out of bounds on 8 and took double there, two-under par wasn't a really good reflection of how I played. It was one of those days where there was cellophane over the hole.”