Round one of the Invest Samoa Open and Senior Open commenced yesterday at Faleata Golf Course on a beautiful Samoan day.

Nineteen professionals and 12 elite amateurs teed off competing for the Samoan Open title.

It was defending champion Peter Wilson of Australia who shot the low round of the day, seven under par 65.

Wilson won the title in 2016. He donated his prize money into a surf village called Sina PJs on the east side of Samoa which helped pay for electrical work and painting to get the village up and running.

He said he loves playing in Samoa and interacting with the local people.

Wilsons round consisted of six birdies and an eagle with the only blemish a bogey on the par 5 3rd.

Close behind with 5 under 67 are Pieter Zwart and Luke Whitebread.

The Samoa Senior open saw three time Champion Richard Backwell continue his outstanding form in Samoa carding 68 but it was Stephen Aisbett from New South Wales who leads after day one shooting 67 coming home strong with a four under 32 on the back nine.

The two local professional Malese Maifea and Poasa Tuisuga shot creditable scores of 72 and 76 respectively.