SHIMA, November 4, 2011 (AFP) - Home hope Akane Iijima shared the lead with Hwang Ah-Reum of South Korea and Taiwan's Teresa Lu after the first round at the USLPGA Tour Mizuno Classic on Friday in Japan.
Iijima carded a bogey-free 66 that was peppered with six birdies at the Kintetsu Kashikojima Country Club in Shima, while Hwang and Lu sank seven birdies against one bogey.
"My shots improved on the back nine," said Iijima. "Previously I have been able to put my shots within around six feet from the pin but not make the putts.
"But putts from that distance went down for me today and that is why I had a good score."
The 24-year-old Lu, who finished tied for 31st place last year, got off to a flying start, sinking five consecutive birdies from the first hole of her second nine.
"My first nine was so-so today, but on the second nine (the front nine holes), I had five birdies in a row. I feel good about today's round," said Lu.
Meanwhile, Hwang said: "It's been a while since I played this well. I want to try my best for the next two days."
The 2007 champion, Momoko Ueda of Japan, hit a five-under-par 67 to put her in fourth place ahead of seven golfers on 68.
Defending champion Jiyai Shin of South Korea was tied in 12th place on 69.
The 2006 champion Karrie Webb of Australia was in tied 38th place on 71, while Song Bo-Bae of South Korea, the winner here in 2009, pulled out of the competition, co-organised by the USLPGA and JPGA.
Leading first-round scores at the $1.2 million USLPGA Tour Mizuno Classic golf tournament on Friday (Japanese unless stated):
66 - Lu Teresa (TPE), Akane Iijima, Hwang Ah-Reum (KOR)
67 - Momoko Ueda
68 - Kim In-Kyung (KOR), Azahara Munoz (ESP), Stacy Lewis (USA), Feng Shanshan (CHN), Catriona Matthew (SCO), Ayako Uehara, Mina Harigae (USA)
69 - Shin Jiyai (KOR), Choi Na-Yeon (KOR), Vicky Hurst (USA), Han Hee-Won (KOR), Ryann O'Toole (USA), Mayu Hattori, Shin Hyun-Ju (KOR), Kim Na-Ri (KOR), Pornanong Phatilum (THA), Lim Eun-A (KOR), Asako Fujimoto, Ritsuko Ryu
Selected
70 - Ahn Sun-Ju (KOR), Amy Hung (TPE), Mika Miyazato, Seo Hee-Kyung (KOR), Candie Kung (USA), Christel Boeljon (NED), Lee Esther (KOR), Nikki Campbell (USA)
71 - Karrie Webb (AUS), Tiffany Joh (USA), Park Hee-Young (KOR), Kang Soo-Yun (KOR), Jang Eun-Bi (KOR), Cindy Lacrosse (USA), Christina Kim (USA), Jeon Mi-Jeong (KOR), Lee Na-Ri (KOR), Gerina Piller (USA)
72 - Mindy Kim (USA), Kim Mi-Hyun (KOR), Meena Lee (KOR), Jennifer Johnson (USA), Kristy McPherson (USA), Ye Liying (CHN), Bae Kyeong (KOR)
73 - Ai Miyazato, Beatriz Recari (ESP), Chella Choi (KOR), Paige Mackenzie (USA), Inbee Park (KOR), Amanda Blumenherst (USA), Heather Bowie Young (USA), Jenny Shin (KOR), Lee Ji-Woo (KOR), Becky Margan (GBR)
74 - Ji Eun-Hee (KOR), Kim Song-Hee (KOR), Kim Young (KOR), Julieta Granada (PAR)
78 - Kang Jimin (KOR)