Relative unknown Kazumasa Sakaitani fired a 6-under-par 64 Thursday to grab a share of the lead with Justin Rose of England after the first round of the Chunichi Crowns.
Sakaitani made six birdies in a bogey-free round while Rose, who gained prominence when he finished fourth in the 1998 British Open as a 17-year-old amateur, had eight birdies and two bogeys at the Nagoya Golf Club's par-70 Wago Course.
Fujino forges ahead
MURE, Kagawa Pref. (Kyodo) Orie Fujino birdied three of the final four holes Friday to grab a one-stroke lead in the 60 million yen Katokichi Queens women's golf tournament with a first-round 2-under-par 70.
Mayumi Hirase had a 71 for a share of second place with Hiroko Yamaguchi, Yuka Tonsho and Taiwanese veteran Huang Bie-shyun.