Hiroyuki Fujita got off to a strong start to his bid to win his first major title on the Japanese tour Thursday, shooting a bogey-free 65 to take a two-shot lead after the first round of the Japan PGA Championship.
Fujita, who played the inward half first, showed a deft putting touch and a superb short game throughout his round as he needed only 23 putts and finished the day on 7-under-par at Tamana Country Club.
Toru Taniguchi, who finished second on the 2004 money list, had a 67 and is in a five-way tie for second with Tetsuji Hiratsuka, David Smail of New Zealand, Toshinori Muto and Hiroo Okamo.