In-form Shingo Katayama fired eight birdies against one bogey for a 7-under-par 65 to take the lead after the first round of the Asahi Ryokuken Yomiuri Memorial Open on Thursday.
Teeing off on the 10th hole, Katayama made three consecutive birdies from the 11th before three-putting on the 16th for the only bogey of the day at Aso Izuka Golf Club.
The money rankings leader rebounded quickly to birdie the 17th and added four more after the turn as he got off to a strong start in his bid to win three tournaments in four weeks following his victories at the Japan Open and ABC Championship. Yoshinobu Tsukada and China's Liang Wenchong shot 66s and were tied for second.