Mayumi Murai carded seven birdies on her way to a 5-under-par 67 on Friday, opening up a two-shot lead after the first round of the 50 million yen Friskies Osaka Women's Open golf tournament.
Eight-time tour winner Murai, aiming for her first title since winning the Japan Women's Open in 1999, dropped just two shots as she waltzed around the Hanna Country Club to finish two ahead of in-form Midori Yoneyama. Yoneyama, the runaway winner in last week's Apita Circle-K Sunkus tournament, recovered after dropping two shots over the first three holes to card six birdies despite the dreary weather conditions on her way to a 69 and sole possession of second place.