Ryde Parramatta Golf Club PGA Trainee Simon Hawkes has taken the lead following the first round of the 2014 NSW/ACT PGA Trainee Championships.

Being played at Riverside Oaks Resort, Hawkes showed great skill to make the turn at 4-under the card.

Maintaining his composure he finished on the same number and will take a one shot lead into the second round.

"I played well through the front and was confident going into the last 9," said Hawkes.

"I managed to hold on both mentally and physically and was happy with the outcome."

Closely behind Hawkes, tied second on 3-under par is Victorian Dylan Higgins and New South Wales’ Jordana Keaton-Matthews.

Defending champion Richard Gallichan got off to a slower start that he hoped for but at 1-under the card and tied 10th he is within striking distance of the lead.

Play continues tomorrow morning from 8:30am.

For all Round 1 results and the Round 2 draw please click here.