ISPS HANDA Australian Open - Day one digest

Everything you need to know from day one in Melbourne.

Micheluzzi overcame some car trouble to hit the front, Kim came to the fore, Lee's luck was in and out and Meronk was producing scrambling magic on day one of the ISPS HANDA Australian Open.

Here is everything you need to know from day one on the Sandbelt.

Micheluzzi makes his move

David Micheluzzi may have lost his exhaust on the way in to Victoria Golf Club this week but he was certainly motoring on day one in Melbourne. The local favourite made eight birdies after starting with a bogey in a course-record equalling 63 to sit at seven under, a shot clear of countryman Matthew Griffin and Kiwi Josh Geary. "I had a couple of my mates in the back - I’m going to blame them - they weighed the car down and went over the speed hump and the exhaust ripped off," he said of his arrival earlier in the week. "So, if anyone saw an exhaust laying on the side of Victoria’s driveway, that was mine. That was pretty funny. She actually sounded pretty good, it was quite loud. I saw a cop car in the car park before, so lucky that thing’s back on, because I reckon he’d probably defect it."

Kim leads way for the women

Home favourite Grace Kim rode a hot start all the way to a course-record 66 to lead by two after day one of the women's event. Played over the same courses for equal prize money, the men's and women's events are being played together for the first time this week in Melbourne. Playing Kingston Heath Golf Club, Kim started with five birdies and while she bogeyed the 15th, her sixth hole, she made three gains on the front nine to lead the way by two shots at seven under from Hannah Green and Jiyai Shin. "I say this all the time but I love beating the guys, I think it's just fun," she said. "For the spectators as well, it's just easier for us to showcase what we've got."

Patience key for Lee

Minjee Lee was left frustrated on the second as this putt just would not drop.

But she got her revenge on the eighth as this one thought about not dropping but then made its way home for an eagle.

Magic from Meronk

Adrian Meronk was in big trouble at the tenth at Victoria Golf Club but managed to save par from here.

And he was badly placed again at the 18th but produced this to make a sensational birdie.

Lonard loving life on the Sunbelt

Peter Lonard was a back-to-back winner of this event in 2004 and 2005 but now at the age of 55 is focusing on the senior circuit. He was able to roll back the years on Thursday, however, as he carded an excellent 70 at Kingston Heath to sit two under and he was enjoying being back in Melbourne. "The Sandbelt courses, the Victoria and here, it's just an incredible feeling. It's different golf to what we normally play and it's right up my alley, I really enjoy it."