Fraser fought his way through fierce winds in the afternoon to card a two-over round of 73, while Murray finished with the same score in the morning.

Fraser was square with the card after 12 holes but dropped two shots in the run home.

Murray said he was pleased with his round.

“It was a battle and could have gone either way early,” Murray said.

“I had to grind out a score.

“I was pretty pleased overall and started to find some confidence coming down the last few holes.”

The disappointment of the day was Australian Masters champion Peter Senior.

““It was a terrible round,” Senior said after firing 80.

“I felt a bit embarrassed really.

“I’m a proud man, but I’m a little ashamed.”

Wollongong's Lincoln Tighe leads the tournament at five-under.