Midori Yoneyama got off to a strong start in her bid for a third victory this season after firing a 5-under-par 67 in the first round of the Elleair Ladies Open on Friday. Yoneyama, who has won the Kosaido Ladies and the Katokichi Queens this season, made six birdies against one bogey to grab a one-stroke lead over former U.S. LPGA tour regular Akiko Fukushima and South Korea's Lee Ji Hee at Elleair Golf Club Matsuyama. Defending champion Ai Miyazato, who is currently second behind Yuri Fudo in the money rankings list, made three birdies in a bogey-free round for a 69 and was two strokes adrift of the leader along with Rui Kitada and Kasumi Fujii in a seven-way tie for fourth.
