Brad Iles shot a five-under-par 67 today in a round of rediscovery.

One of the emerging stars of the New Zealand scene, Iles reckoned he had come into this week’s Michael Hill New Zealand Golf Open playing “terrible” golf.

But after shooting the lights out today, Iles was in the unusual position of ruing missed chances in a bogey-free round – improving four shots on his first-round 71 and believing he could have gone close to 10 under par.

“I need to come out tomorrow and make as many birdies as I can,” says Iles, 26.

“I was too conservative today and should have been going for eagles on those putts rather than trying to two-putt for speed. I could have been five better had I been more aggressive,” he said.

Iles sits six shots off the leader Bobby Gates (12 under) of the United States, tied for 11^th with a two-round total of 138.

So what went right today? As it turns out, a crash course with golf coaching guru Mal Tongue after the first round working on his left shoulder turn.

“On the first hole something just clicked today after an average shot off the tee.

“I couldn’t work out the feeling that I needed but I just gave it a go. Hopefully I can now carry on for the rest of the tournament.”

“Hopefully what I figured out in this round will hold me through the year.”

No guesses where you’ll find Iles tonight ahead of the weekend: he’ll be at the range hitting balls – “when it gets cooler”.