Ai Miyazato shot a 2-under 70 to tie for eighth place after the first round of the Yokohama Tire Classic on Thursday, five strokes behind leader Laetitia Beck of Israel.
Miyazato carded one eagle alongside four birdies and as many bogeys amid strong winds at the par-72 RTJ Golf Trail, Capitol Hill, and was positive with her round.
She started with two birdies on the back nine before hitting three bogeys in the next four holes. But she had an eagle on No. 17 and made sure she stayed under par with birdies on Nos. 7 and 8 before a bogey at the final hole.
"I could read the lines well today and am glad I could play my strokes without dithering," Miyazato said. "The birdies on Nos. 10 and 11 got me ahead in the score. The wind was strong so I focused on keeping it neat."
Harukyo Nomura, who won her second U.S. LPGA tour tournament last month at the Swinging Skirts Classic, finished at even par and is tied in 38th alongside compatriot Ayako Uehara.