It didn't take long for some of the best amateurs in the world to leave their mark on Southern Golf Club in Melbourne, which is hosting the Australian Master of the Amateurs Championship for the first time.

England’s John Gough and Japan's Yuna Araki opened with rounds of 64 (-8) and 67 (-6) to set new men's and women's course records at Southern Golf Club and grab early leads at Australia's most prestigious amateur event.

Gough, who played collegiately at Charlotte, made four birdies in his last five holes to finish three shots clear of Japan’s Taichiro Ideriha, Australia’s Jeffrey Guan and Scotland’s Gregor Tait who are all tied on 5-under.

Four golfers, including American Nick Gabrelcik, are four back after carding rounds of 68 on Tuesday.

Gough, whose impressive resume includes wins at the Palmetto Amateur and English Amateur in 2021 and the Spanish International and Lytham Trophy last year, had nine birdies against just one bogey for his 8-under par round at the Southern Golf Club, which is hosting the event for the first time.

Defending champion Harrison Crowe is off the pace after carding a 2-under 70 in his opening round, as is two-time Northeast Amateur champion Dylan Menante.

Araki, who recently tied for third at the Women's Asia-Pacific Amateur held in November, birdied her last two holes for a round of 67 and a two-shot lead over countrywoman Mizuki Hashimoto and Caitlin Peirce of Australia.

The Australian Master of the Amateurs Championships is a 72-hole stroke championship with a cut after 54-holes.

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