Ai Miyazato carded a flawless 7-under-par 66 to establish a one-shot lead after the first round of the New Caterpillar Mitsubishi Ladies on Friday.
Ai Miyazato watches her shot during the first round of the New Caterpillar Mitsubishi
Ladies in Hakone, Kanagawa Prefecture.
The 20-year-old Miyazato, runnerup to American Paula Creamer at last week's NEC Karuizawa 72 tournament, made seven birdies at Daihakone Country Club and was followed in second by U.S. LPGA player Akiko Fukushima.
Miyazato, who recently took time off from the Japanese tour to compete in overseas events including the U.S. Women's Open and the Women's British Open, made the turn at 34 and reeled off four birdies from the 10th before adding another birdie on the 17th.
Fukushima also enjoyed a bogey-free journey over the spa resort's par-73 course, rolling down six birdies to finish her round alone in second spot.