Kim, who is young enough to still be at school, sits at the top of the leaderboard at the Open, after a blistering 7-under 64 at Millbrook yesterday.
The world No141 has plenty of chasers — a trio of Australians sits a shot back and others are very handy.
Wellingtonian Harry Bateman, of Wellington, is the top Kiwi on 4-under but there are 59 players within seven shots of Kim.
Kim (17) played well beyond his years and was composed throughout.
He had to battle the wind but showed the skills which led to three tournament wins last year.
He was 3-under after nine holes and an eagle on the 10th moved him to 5-under.
But it was not easy for Kim, who had to contend with a tough wind which was all over the place.
"The wind was swirling all day and it was tough. But I managed myself really well and gave myself lots of good chances and made some good putts too," Kim said.
"It’s nice to know that I can still post a good round after a month’s break. It’s a tough day and I’m glad I managed to do well. For tomorrow, I just have to play without any expectations and play the way I did today. A lot will also have to depend on the wind too."
Brad Kennedy, Wade Ormsby and Ben Eccles sit a shot behind.
Kennedy played in the morning at The Hills when the wind picked up and made scoring difficult.
"It was a whole new experience. Sometimes there was four or five clubs’ difference from a couple of rounds last year to what I was hitting this year," Kennedy said.
Kennedy had always done well in New Zealand, recording two wins, including the 2011 Open, and missed out in a playoff in 2017.
"I just love coming to New Zealand. You guys look after us so well. I have been so close here if I can get myself in position, I will see what I can do."
Kennedy is one of the most consistent players on the circuit, having missed just two cuts in the past few years.
He did not play a practice round before yesterday after a nightmare flight from Brisbane to Queenstown which took nearly 18 hours.
An eagle on 17 at The Hills was a hole to remember for Kennedy.
Eccles was only a reserve until Wednesday when he made the field and he made the most of it.
"It’s pretty awesome. I said to my best mate who’s caddying for me that I just want to enjoy the week whether I get in or not and we got in yesterday morning so it’s a big bonus and to play like I did today was just awesome," he said.
"My game has turned a corner in the last three or four months. I’ve been working pretty hard on some stuff so I’m excited for what’s coming."
Ormsby joined Eccles with a late run, both playing in the afternoon. Ormsby won the Hong Kong Open last month so is in good form and is looking forward to the weekend.
Ormsby and Eccles will play at The Hills this morning with Kennedy at Millbrook this afternoon.
Round 2
Notable tee times
Millbrook: Nick Flanagan, 8.25am, hole no 1; Denzel Ieremia, 12.44pm, 1; Ryan Fox, 12.55pm, 1; KJ Choi, 1.05pm, 1; Brad Kennedy, 1.28pm, 1; James Anstiss, 12.11pm, 10; Jarryd Felton, 12.33pm, 10.
The Hills: Brad Eccles, 8.14am, 1; Terry Pilkadaris, 8.47am, 1; Josh Geary, 8.58am, 1; Harry Bateman, 7.30am, 10; Pernilla Lindberg, 7.41am, 10; Michael Hendry, 8.14am, 10; Geoff Ogilvy, 8.25am, 10; Michael Campbell, 8.25am, 10; Lucas Herbert, 8.36am, 10; Wade Ormsby, 8.47am, 10; Zach Murray, 1.17pm, 1; Joohyoung Kim, 12.44pm, 10.
