A trio of New Zealand golfers sit atop the leaderboard at the halfway mark of the Higgins Fiji Open at Denaru Golf & Racquet Club.

29-year-old Kieran Muir made a terrific start to the tournament where the winner seals themselves a place at the 2017 Fiji International, along with the highest placed Fijian local.

Muir shot an impressive 8-under 64 including seven birdies and an eagle, immediately stamping himself as the one to beat this week.

He was able to back up his hot start with 3-under 69 in the second round, giving himself a three-shot buffer in the lead ahead of round three tomorrow.

It’s a strong return to form for Muir who has only made the cut in one of the three events he has played so far on the ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia this year.

In second spot after two rounds is Hayden Beard who began the tournament with 2-under 70 and shot the round of the day on Thursday for 6-under 66.

Luke Toomey, one of New Zealand’s brightest up and comers, currently sits in third after rounds of 68 and 71, he’s currently 5-under par, six shots behind Muir.

One shot back and tied at 4-under are Fijian locals Tomasi Tuivuna and Sam Lee along with another New Zealander in Daniel Graham.

The race for the highest finishing Fijian looks to be between Tuivana and Lee with the next best local being Bill Suruturaga who is three shots behind the pair on 1-under.

Round 3 will commence from 7:30am tomorrow with the leaders teeing off at 10:40am