Momoko Ueda opened with a 3-under 69 to lie one shot behind leader Yoko Inoue at the Miyagi TV Cup Dunlop Ladies Open on Friday.
Ueda mixed six birdies with three bogeys, leaving her tied with China's Ye Liying at Rifu Golf Club. An eight-time winner and the 2007 money leader in Japan, Ueda has done well at the Dunlop Ladies Open, winning in 2008 and finishing alone in second last year.
The 38-year-old Inoue, who has not won since 1999, carded six birdies against one double bogey.
Rui Kitada, Lim Eun A, Maiko Wakabayashi and Chiharu Tsunekawa were fourth, two strokes off the pace.
Three-time U.S. LPGA major winner Tseng Yani of Taiwan shared 11th place with 10 others after a 72.
Trio share lead
KOBE (Kyodo) Ryo Ishikawa was two shots out of first place shared by four in the ¥112.5 million event, which was shortened to 54 holes the previous day after a storm washed out the first day at the Rokko Kokusai Golf Club.
Ishikawa rang up six birdies on the day, but also had four bogeys, including one on the 18th hole that saw him join a company of 12 in ninth place.
Kazuhiko Hosokawa, Shintaro Kai, S.K. Ho and India's Gaganjeet Bhullar topped the opening round as they chase the winner's check of ¥22.5 million.
Defending champion Daisuke Maruyama finished in a four-way tie at fifth, while last weekend's ANA Open winner Yuta Ikeda bogeyed four holes on the back nine to card a 73.