Toshimitsu Izawa, who currently leads the overall money rankings, and Shingo Katayama, who is 5.71 million yen behind in third, both got off to flying starts in the opening round of the season-ending Nippon Series JT Cup on Thursday.
While Tetsuji Hiratsuka, Taichi Teshima, Kiyoshi Murota and David Smail of New Zealand shared the lead at 4-under-par 66, Izawa, whose earnings this season including overseas prizes are more than 121 million yen, carded three birdies and eagled just before the turn at Tokyo Yomiuri Country Club for a 67. Katayama shot a 68.