The New Zealander made his way around the par-72 in five-under par in the seventh group of the day to share the lead with 24-year-old South Australian Lachlan Barker at the end of Thursday’s play.

Chisnall noting his ball striking expertise as the driver for his one bogey 67, while his change in attitude towards the game in recent months also helped produced a relaxed and fun day.

“I’ve been lucky to play all around the world, so you adapt to conditions pretty quickly. I feel like a lot of this course is very similar to Asia,” Chisnall said. “The more you play in different environments the more you get used to playing in those environments. I’ve been fortunate enough to play in similar places before.

“I decided not to go back to Q School, I’ve got a job now, have some security away from the game, which is nice. I mean I’ve been slugging away for the last five or six years and it’s hard work at times. So I decided to take a little break from the game.”

Chisnall’s break has included working in golf operations at Sanctuary Cove on the Gold Coast after relocating with his partner in early 2023. Washing golf carts and picking up range balls clearly agreeing with the man who earned third place at the 2022 WA PGA but is playing this week without status in the hope that a win will earn him back playing rights on the PGA Tour of Australasia. An increase in social golf also playing its role.

South Australian Lachlan Barker shares the lead after an opening 67. PHOTO: Australian Golf Media.

“I wouldn’t have played this week if the field had filled, I just thought it was a good opportunity to come up and have whack, I haven’t been playing a lot, been playing once a week at home,” he said. “It’s a weird game, I was grinding hard at the start of the year and getting nothing. You have a forced break or a time away and you play more casual golf and all of sudden the game starts rolling, which is just weird isn’t it?”

Very much the opposite of taking a break, Barker is just endeavouring on his professional career having graduated from Iowa State University and turning pro in 2022.

The Glenelg member plans on heading to Asian Tour school later this year and sees the heat and humidity of Papua New Guinea as a perfect training ground for playing in Asia. And it seems he is well equipped after making seven birdies in his opening 10 holes, including five in a row starting at the par-4 6th.

“First time here. It’s hot, you’ve got to prepare for you day,” Barker said after signing for his 67. “A good night’s sleep is important, being well hydrated before you even tee off is even more important. Keeping up the liquids and trying to keep the energy levels very level is so important.

“I think half of it is the travel, and the heat and you’ve got do that. And this is setting me up perfectly for that (Asian Tour).”

Having made the turn in 32, it looked as if Barker might continue the run on the back nine. However, despite playing as well, if not better, the putts on the slightly bumpy Royal Port Moresby greens failed to drop.

"I’ve got a job now, have some security away from the game, which is nice. I mean I’ve been slugging away for the last five or six years and it’s hard work at times." - Ryan Chisnall.

“Unfortunately I had the opportunities down the stretch, but maintaining your putting out here this week is going to be tough,” he said. “So you’ve got to be patient and when they drop they drop, when they don’t they don’t.

“If you watched my round of golf, you might have argued I had better back nine than front nine, but the scorecard told a different story.”

One back of the lead are three players including Coffs Harbour based Sydney product Andrew Campbell, Peter Martin and Barker’s roommate for the week Liam Georgiadis.

Sitting at four-under through 13, Campbell appeared the most likely to perhaps join, or go past, the leading duo after he smashed his drive down the par-4 14th.

Left with just 85 metres from the fairway, Campbell’s lob wedge went over the green, eventually leading to a bogey five.

He made the shot back at the penultimate hole to return to four under, with five players sharing sixth one shot behind on three-under.