Tomohiro Kondo scored his first-ever hole-in-one Thursday to highlight an adventurous round that gave him a two-stroke lead after the first round of the 110 million yen Fujisankei Classic.
Kondo aced the 137-yard, par-3 11th hole on the Kawana Hotel Golf Course and came in after a rain-soaked round over the 6,694-yard, par-71 links layout with seven birdies and four bogeys for a 5-under-par 66.
"I didn't see the hole-in-one at all. This is the first time I've ever done that even in private, so I am ecstatic," the 23-year-old Kondo said.
Toshiaki Odate carded six birdies as strong winds buffeted the course, but gave three strokes back with a bogey and double-bogey to stand alone in second at 3-under 68.
Fujii up by two
Kasumi Fujii birdied all of the long holes on her way to a 5-under-par 66 Thursday for a two-stroke lead in the 60 million yen Nichirei Cup World Ladies golf tournament.
Defending champion Karrie Webb of Australia lurks three strokes back in a tie for third at the Tokyo Yomiuri Country Club's 6,387-yard course.