Yuri Fudo made a perfect start in her quest for a record fifth straight money title by shooting a 4-under-par 68 to take a one-shot lead after the first round of the season-ending Japan LPGA Tour Championship on Thursday.
Defending champion Fudo rolled down five birdies and a bogey at Miyazaki Country Club to lead teen star Ai Miyazato, who fired a 69 to keep her slim hopes of dethroning Fudo at the top of the money list alive.
Hiroko Yamaguchi and Michiko Hattori shared third on 70.
Meanwhile in Kaimon, Kagoshima Prefecture, veteran Katsunori Kuwabara and second-year pro Hunter Mahan both shot bogey-free 6-under-par 66s Thursday to sit in a tie at the top of the leaderboard after the first round of the Casio World Open at Ibusuki Golf Club.