Mika Miyazato opened with a 4-under-par 68 to take a share of third place after the first round of the HSBC Women's Champions on Thursday.
Miyazato had a pair of birdies on both the front and back nine in a bogey-free journey over the Sentosa Golf Club's par-72 Serapong Course. She sits one shot behind co-leaders Candie Kung of Taiwan and Australian Minjee Lee.
"Both my shots and putts were sound," said Miyazato, who is tied for third with Norway's Suzann Pettersen, South Korea's Park In Bee and Lee-Anne Pace of South Africa.
"The best thing was that I had no bogeys. I made the most of my birdie chances and I am satisfied."
Harukyo Nomura, who won her first title on the U.S. LPGA tour at last month's Women's Australian Open, had five birdies and four bogeys in a 71 and was tied for 27th place.
Sakura Yokomine shot a 1-over and former world No. 1 Ai Miyazato, no relation to Mika, struggled with a 77.