South Korean veteran Lee Young Me carded six birdies and an eagle in a 7-under-par 65 on Friday to take a 3-shot lead over Mayumi Hirase after the first round of the Vernal Open.
Lee came home in 31 helped by an eagle on the par-5 12th when she chipped in out of a greenside bunker.
Hirase took most of last year off to have a child but showed signs of being back to her best with five birdies and a bogey in a 4-under 68.
Imano in control
KOMATSU, Ishikawa Pref. (Kyodo) In-form Yasuharu Imano kick started his challenge for a second straight title Thursday when he produced a course record of 8-under-par 64 to take a one-shot lead after the first round of the Aiful Cup.
Imano carved up the Twin Fields Gold Course with eight birdies -- including three straight from No. 10 -- to reach the clubhouse one stroke clear of Masanori Kobyashi and Katsunori Kuwabara.