Sweden's Annika Sorenstam took a stride toward her eighth title of the year after shooting a 6-under-par 66 on Friday to share the lead with Colombia's Marisa Baena after the first round of the $1.08 million Mizuno Classic golf tournament.
U.S. tour regular Akiko Fukushima led the challenge from Japan after a 67 moved her into 3-way tie one shot off the lead at the Musashigaoka Golf Course in Saitama Prefecture alongside compatriot Kayo Yamada and South Korea's Ko Woo Soon.
Yuri Fudo, top money winner on the Japanese pro circuit, shot a 68 to move into joint sixth place with Frenchwoman Patricia Meunier-Lebouc.
Hamilton ties record
AJISU, Yamaguchi Pref. (Kyodo) American Todd Hamilton tied a tour record with seven straight birdies Friday and took over the lead midway through the 140 million yen Ube Kosan Open golf tournament with his second straight 7-under-par 65.
Hajime Meshiai fell in a stroke behind the American at 131 with a 63 that included an eagle, eight birdies and one bogey over the club's 6,859-yard, par-72 Ebataike Course.
Japan Open titlist Taichi Teshima, meanwhile, matched the tour record for fewest strokes over 18 holes of a par-72 course with an 11-under-par 61.