Joint leader after the first round, Ryuko Tokimatsu is the clubhouse leader of the morning field on day two of the 100^th New Zealand Open in Queenstown.

Tokimatsu, 24, with three career wins to his name, fired 2-under 69 at Millbrook in a round featuring four birdies and two bogeys, to be on 10-under the card ahead of compatriot Kodai Ichihara on 9-under after a 68 todayat Millbrook Resort.

Joining him on the leaderboard are two former New Zealand Open champions; Brad Kennedy and Dimitrios Papadatos who both played at Millbrook Resort in the second round.

Kennedy, the 2011 champion, reeled off eight birdies on his was to shooting 8-under 63 after giving himself a pep talk last night.

“It was a combination of doing what I needed to do but also being rewarded for hitting good shots.

“I putted brilliantly today, I putted poorly yesterday so was able to turn that around after giving myself a talking to last night. I said it wasn’t good enough and if I wanted to get myself into contention I had to play better and I managed to do that today.”

Meanwhile Papadatos, the 2014 winner, shot a 66 today after his opening round of 68, all whilst battling a wrist injury that almost saw him sidelined.

“I was in doubt for the tournament, yesterday morning I didn’t think I would be playing but Neki Patel from Queenstown Health treated it for me and it has been alright,” said Papadatos.

“Wednesday morning I played two holes in the practice round and it really didn’t look like I would be able to play. I was pretty down and out, I didn’t realise how much it meant to me until then.

“I wanted to come and play at The Hills, to think I wasn’t going to play was disappointing. But now I am just happy to be out there playing and to be in contention is even better.

“Surprisingly I am hitting it really well. I think I have only missed one of two greens the last two days. I made a couple of putts and it all seems to be going alright.”

They are joined on 9-under by another overnight leader in Kiwi professional Harry Bateman who had a 1-under 70 at Millbrook Resort today after his brilliant 64 at The Hills on day one.

Other morning rounds of note included a 6-under 65 by former US Open champion Geoff Ogilvy.

Two holes in one also provided some sparkle on day two. Australian professional Damien Jordan holed out on the second hole at Millbrook Resort today,hitting a pitching wedge to the 139m par-3.

He was joined by Thailand professional Natipong Srithong who scored a hole-in-one at The Hills. He fired a 7-iron to the 174m par-3 16^th.

The afternoon field is now on course.