Veteran Aki Nakano produced a 1-under-par 71 on Friday to grab a share of the lead along with a trio of Japanese golfers after the first round of the Saishunkan Ladies Hinokuni Open.
Nakano, runnerup in the Japanese LPGA money rankings last season, carded four birdies against three bogeys at Kumamoto Airport Country Club to reach the clubhouse tied with Kaori Higo, Yuri Kawanami and Riko Higashio for a one-stroke lead.