Dowling, 18, had a steady day with two birdies and one bogey before a brilliant eagle on the par-5 17th saw him rocket into equal second with Jasper Stubbs of Victoria and South Korea's Kim Hyun Uk.

The trio sit two shots behind Kiwi Kazuma Kobori who fired a faultless 5-under 66 in testing conditions which included gusting winds, cold temperatures and pelting rain.

Dowling, though, whose home club is Surfers Paradise GC, said he thought "the conditions were very good around here." 

"I know it can get a little windy and a little rainy but I thought we had pretty nice conditions the whole day.

"It's my first time at the Sandbelt. It's different. I'm still getting used to it a little bit but I enjoy it," Dowling said.

The highlight of Dowling's round was his eagle-3 at the par-5 17th.

"That was pretty exciting. Talked to my caddie about the second shot and hit it exactly how he wanted and then hit a really good putt.

"Yeah, it kind of got the round going a little more," Dowling said.

Billy Dowling, 18, is the Queensland Amateur Champion and shot 59 at his home club Surfers Paradise GC this year. PHOTO: AAC

Earlier in the day Stubbs, who plays out of nearby Peninsula-Kingswood, was given the honour of hitting the first tee-shot of the tournament and said it was "really nice".

He also said it was "very cold" and he was glad he didn't hurt anybody. 

"I couldn't feel my hands, and my heart rate was just really high up," Stubbs said. "Lucky I got it out of the sweet spot and didn't hit a cameraman while I was at it.

"It's pretty cool to see the trophy there and be on the first tee with so many people. It was a really cool experience, and like my caddie said, that's what it will be like in future tournaments, bigger and better."

Jasper Stubbs used his Sandbelt knowledge to good effect to shoot 3-under 68 at Royal Melbourne on Thursday. PHOTO: AAC.

Stubbs described the rain as "just annoying, really."

"It didn't rain too much but it was on and off and I was constantly putting the rain jacket on and off, on and off. That was the hardest part to deal with, putting bag covers, as well and umbrellas up and down. We managed it well, though.

"I'm happy to get inside after this," Stubbs said.

Harry Takis is the next-best Australian at even par while Lukas Michel, Quinn Croker, Max Charles and Jeff Guan all remain within striking distance after rounds of 2-over 73.

The tournament is run by Augusta National and the R&A, and the winner is invited to the 2024 Masters and Open Championship at Royal Troon.

Dowling, however, wasn't allowing himself to think that far ahead. 

"I haven't really thought about the outcome at all. I'm just trying to play my best golf, really. Try to score the lowest score I can each day and that's the only goal I have.

"If I win, that's a bonus."