Wollongong's Brad McIntosh made a clutch 10m putt for birdie on the final hole to be two shots behind leader Steven Bowditch after the first round of the NSW PGA yesterday.In blustery afternoon conditions, McIntosh produced an action-packed round of eight birdies and four bogeys at Wollongong Golf Club to be squarely in the frame for the title.Bowditch, destined for the US Tour starting in January, remains the man to catch after a faultless round of six-under 64.It left him as equal leader with Shaun Harmer at the completion of the first round, one stroke ahead of Neven Basic and Dale Clarke.While McIntosh remains two off the pace, there is no denying the local product is a genuine contender after producing a stunning long-range putt to finish at four-under."I'm definitely happy, it was a lot harder out there this afternoon than it was this morning," McIntosh said."It was eventful. I had one par three early and another a bit later where I couldn't get it up and down, but then I hit some good shots and got some birdies too."It was pretty much the same on the back nine."It's just the wind, you've got to be really on your game to get around."My putting was good today, I nailed the one on the last, so I can't really complain."After starting his round on the 10th tee, McIntosh corrected a bogey on the par three 12th with three consecutive birdies.He then bogeyed the par three 16th, but responded with two more birdies to turn at three-under.The lurching ride around the beachside course continued until McIntosh signalled his title intentions with one of the putts of the day on hole nine, his final of the day.Bowditch had no such issues about backward steps following great forward leaps, carding six birdies in an unblemished round.Now joint leader with Ipswich golfer Harmer, Bowditch told the Mercury he wants to be more ruthless as the tournament progresses."I missed some chances," the 27-year-old said."At four-under through nine, I'd obviously made a few too, but it could have been better."I'm up there, which is where you want to be."Hopefully it will only get better come the weekend."Bowditch also started at the 10th and charged to two-under through four holes, then adding to his tally with birdies at the 17th, 18th, fourth and sixth to put his stamp on the tournament.It continues a stellar year for Bowditch, who will join the US Tour to play against the world's best after finishing 17th on the order of merit at the Nationwide Tour qualifying school this year.But Harmer is poised to challenge the tournament favourite, having carded four birdies on each nine, his only blemish coming with a double bogey on the 387m second hole.In near-perfect conditions, the morning session players were the pacemakers before the greens quickened up as the day progressed and the afternoon breeze strengthened.Of the other pre-tournament favourites, Kurt Barnes battled through to an even-par round of 70.Barnes made a blistering start to the day with birdies on his first two holes, but then struck trouble with bogeys on three of his next five.Playing partner Aaron Townsend, the reigning NSW PGA champion, had a frustrating outing, also finishing level with the card. Townsend double bogeyed the 11th hole, his second of the day, and fought hard to stay in sight of the leaders.