FUKUROI, Shizuoka Pref. (Kyodo) Veteran Midori Yoneyama enjoyed a birdie-birdie finish en route to a 2-under-par 70 to claim a share of the first-round lead at the Yamaha Ladies Open on Friday.

Yoneyama, a seven-time winner on the JLPGA Tour, had two birdies against as many bogeys before picking up two more shots on the 17th and 18th holes at Katsuragi Golf Club, joining winless pair Ikue Asama and Yuka Shiroto in a three-way tie at the top of the leaderboard.