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.

New Zealander Harry Bateman has stormed home to be part of a three way share of the lead alongside Australian Zach Murray and Japan’s Tokimatsu on the opening day of the 100th New Zealand Open in Queenstown.

Bateman started the day with two bogeys, but had four birdies and an eagle over his last six holes at The Hills to join Murray, who played Millbrook Resort this morning, and Japan’s Ryuko Tokimatsu who also played The Hills this afternoon, on 8-under the card.

“It was one of the weirdest rounds I have ever had. I topped it off the 1st tee and made bogey there and the next hole. Then I stuck in and got it back to par, and then lit it up over the last six or seven holes,” Bateman said.

“I honestly feel I didn’t play that well but got some good breaks and holed some great putts. My short game was unreal. I had a good two days at the Open last year but hopefully I will just keep charging this time.”

21-year-old Murray shot a flawless round of 63 which included eight birdies and after only a few minutes of preparation.

“It was a strange warm up for me. I hit about five balls and I was like ‘I’m not going to get warm’, and so I just sat in the pro shop and waited until the sun came out, hit a couple of putts and off I went,” Murray said.

“I do that back at home when I’m just playing with my mates so I suppose I might have to do that more often.”

Murray turned professional in November after winning the WA Open as an amateur, and finished fourth at Asian Tour Q-School.

His opening round was a nice birthday present for his father.

“(It’s) Dad’s birthday today. He messaged me last night and said 65 would be nice, considering he was born in ‘65, so I added a couple of years onto him today with a 63. I spoke to him quickly just before and he said he doesn’t mind,” added Murray.

Japan’s Tokimatsu, who has three career titles to his credit, came home strong with two of his nine birdies coming on the 8th and 9th finishing holes at The Hills.

Japan’s Kodai Ichihara is in fourth place on 6-under the card, while three players share fourth place on 5-under, including Thailand’s Panuphol Pittayarat and Australians Ashley Hall and Maverick Antcliff.

There are 86 players in red figures with 16 players in a share of 9th on 4-under the card, including US-based Tim Wilkinson and Josh Geary.

One of the pre-tournament favourites Ryan Fox, who arrived home yesterday from playing in the WGC – Mexico Championship, fought off jet-lag to shoot 3-under 69 at Millbrook Resort, defending champion Daniel Nisbet is 1-under the card and the 2000 New Zealand Open winner, Michael Campbell, returning from a six-year hiatus from the game, settled for even par at The Hills.

Fox was not unhappy with his opening round.

“I left a few slip out there but 3-under is not bad looking at the leaderboard and looks like there is some scores to be had at the The Hills. Hopefully we get a nice afternoon and a little bit warmer which makes is easier to score.”