A double-bogey at the last soured what was an otherwise solid opening round for leading Australian Quinnton Croker at the Asia Pacific Amateur, as the Queenslander posted a first-round of even-par 70 to sit five shots off the lead.

The Asia Pacific Amateur is jointly run by Augusta National and the R&A and the winner will receive starts in the 2025 Masters and Open Championship.

Indonesia’s Randy Bintang shot a five-under 65 during a rain-soaked day one at the iconic Taiheiyo Club near Gotemba. He led Hong Kong’s Wang Ngai Shen and Japan duo, Taishi Moto and Rintaro Nakano, (66) by one shot.

The field’s best-ranked player, amateur world No. 4, Wenyi Ding from China, was among seven players who shot 67 and finished three-under.

Toowoomba product Croker, the Australian Amateur champion, was three-under the card during his round but fell victim to the back nine at the narrow, tree-lined Taiheiyo Club which sits at the foot of Mount Fuji.

“Driver put me in too many bad spots, I think,” Croker said. “To have only one [bogey] through 17 holes [plus three birdies] was good because I think I was on the fairway five times today.”

Croker backed himself to get right back in it on day two.

“I’m only five back, and I feel like putting and driving can be a lot better,” he said.

He was the best Australian among a seven-strong contingent, with golf course designer and part-time elite amateur, Lukas Michel, next best after a 71. He finished one-over alongside countrymen Tony Chen and Phoenix Campbell.

Defending Asia Pacific champion, Jasper Stubbs, was next best of the Australians at two-over (72) alongside talented teenager Billy Dowling. Left-handed Western Australian, Connor Fewkes, was four over (74).

Day two of the 15th Asia Pacific Amateur continues Friday. The 120-player event counts Cameron Smith and Min Woo Lee as past contestants, and 2021 Masters champion, Hideki Matsuyama, as a former two-time winner.