Australian golfer Andrew Martin fired a second-round eight-under 64 to open up a five-shot lead at the midway stage of the New Zealand PGA Championship at Arrowtown.

Martin made light of a foot injury as he birdied five of his first six holes at The Hills on Friday on his way to finishing the day at 13-under.

The Australian amateur champion in 2004, the 27-year-old has yet to collect a title since turning pro in 2006.

However, Martin did come runner-up at the Queensland PGA Championship in Toowoomba in February, a result that lifted his confidence.

“Toowoomba was a big eye-opener that my game was there,” he said.

“I hit the shots I wanted to hit and just fell short with a couple of putts.”

New Zealander Mark Purser carded a 66 to be in a tie for second with Australians Brody Ninyette and Clint Rice, who had rounds of 67 and 68 respectively.

The day’s best score belonged to South Korean Jin Jeong, who shot a 62 to match Australian Peter Fowler’s course record set at the New Zealand Open in 2007.

The 62 professionals who have made the cut will be paired up with amateurs for the third round on Saturday under the tournament’s new celebrity pro-am format.