Chihiro Nakajima equaled the course record with a career-best 65 to take the lead after the first round of the Fujitsu Ladies on Friday.
Nakajima took full advantage of the greens softened by overnight rain, making eight birdies against a bogey on her way to a one-shot advantage over Mayumi Hirase at Tokyu Seven Hundred Club in Chiba.
In Toyoura, Yamaguchi Pref., Nobuhito Sato raced into a three-stroke lead Thursday after the first round of the Japan Open, equaling the tournament record with an 8-under-par 62.