Otsu, Japan — Japanese golfers Nasa Hataoka and Miyu Yamashita each shot 7-under 65 on Thursday to sit atop the leaderboard after the first round of the LPGA TOTO Japan Classic.
Hatake is seeking her seventh title on the LPGA Tour, while Yamashita is pursuing her third.
South Korea’s Shin Ji-yai holds a one-shot lead, with three other Japanese golfers – Chisato Iwai, Akie Iwai and Minami Katsu – just two shots behind at Seta Golf Club in western Japan.
Chisato Iwai and Akie Iwai are twin sisters.
In a tight field, only three of the other eight golfers trailed. Among them is Australia’s Minjee Lee. Earlier this year, Lee won the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, her third major title.
Defending champion Leo Takeda shot 73, 1 over par, and was eight shots behind.
