GOTEMBA, Shizuoka Pref. (Kyodo) Taichi Teshima lit up the Gotemba Course at Taiheiyo Club with a bogey-free first round, including an eagle and six birdies in the Taiheiyo Masters on Thursday.
Teshima stood alone at top with a 64, three strokes ahead of Kaname Yokoo in second. Teshima has not been in the lead since the season-opening Token Homemate Cup two years ago, and is out for his first title in three years.
Ryo Ishikawa, second on the money list, was 14th with a 70. There was a six-way tie for third, including Katsumasa Miyamoto and Ryuji Imada, who trailed Teshima by four shots.
"Things went so well today it's scary," said the 42-year-old Teshima, who rang up four straight birdies from holes Nos. 9 to 12. "I've got to keep showing that I can still play this game."