Making her 2016 debut, SooBin Kim fired a stellar bogey-free 63 to take a three shot lead following the first round of the ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open.

“I had a really long off-season but I’m just really excited to come back on Tour and start playing with the girls,” Kim said. “I think it’s just the beginning and I think it’s a good beginning for me.”

Kim, who hasn’t played a competitive round on the LPGA since the second round of the Evian Championship last September, started with a birdie on 10, her first hole of the day, and didn’t look back tallying eight additional birdies en route to the lowest round of her career.

“Well, after a couple of holes in on the front nine I made three birdies in a row and I think that was a great momentum to carry on to shoot 9 under today,” Kim explained. “The course is in really great shape today so definitely a good condition to shoot 9 under.”

Helping Kim along the way was her coach Brian Jung who is on the bag this week.

“I don’t think anyone could predict your number,” Kim said. “My coach and I were joking around saying let’s make 20 birdies this week and no bogeys, so I liked that idea. So let’s keep on rolling. I think that really helped a lot too.”

Kim will be looking to improve upon her best finish of T13 at the Cambia Portland Classic in 2015 as she sleeps on the lead for the first time in an LPGA event.

“I would be lying if I say no, but I love the pressure, I love the challenge so I think it will be good.”

Fellow second year player Casey Grice and Caroline Masson sit three back at 6-under while a group of five players - Karrie Webb, Catriona Matthew, P.K. Kongkraphan, Jenny Shin and amateur Hye Jin Choi - are four back.

SooBin Kim Sets Course Record in Opening Round of 2016 ISPS Handa Women's Australian Open

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