American Rickie Fowler has set the early pace at the Australian PGA Championship at Royal Pines on Thursday.

Starting on the back nine, the 24-year-old from California made a sedate start to his round on the Gold Coast, having to wait until his sixth hole of the day before registering a birdie.

But the world number 43 soon got his game going and he birdied six out of his last eight holes to register an eight-under-par 63.

That was enough to see him sit two strokes clear of Australian Matthew Ballard, with Nathan Green a further shot back on five under.

Fowler’s playing partner Marc Leishman is on two under after shooting 69.

Korean Sung-Yeol Kwon was on fire early, reaching the turn in 31, but he dropped off late in his round to be on four under.

All eyes will be on world number two Adam Scott when he tees of in the early afternoon, looking to keep his strong run of form going.