Japan's Shiho Oyama, who is a 13-year member of the JLPGA with 12 tournament wins, combined six birdies and two bogeys for a four-under 68 to take the first-round lead Friday at the $1.2 million Mizuno Classic, the final stop on the LPGA Tour’s Asian swing.
Oyama's round got off to a flying start, posting four birdies in her opening nine holes including three consecutive birdies from the 5th hole. She went out in four-under 32, she got it to five-under with a birdie on the 10th, however the very next hole she posted her first bogey of the day. Another bogey and birdie coming in saw the Japanese player come home in even-par 36.
Despite battling neck pains early in the week, Oyama surprised herself with a solid opening round and hopes the pain continues to subside throughout the weekend.
"I have been having this neck ache that's been affecting my golf recently," Oyama said. "But yesterday I had some massage and the pain is gradually fading."
It is a packed leaderboard after the opening round and Oyama leads a group of to nine players by one stroke that includes Floridian Brittany Lincicome and Sweden's Pernilla Lindberg.
Lincicome got off to a hot start with an eagle on the Par-5 first hole, sinking a 15-foot putt after carrying the green on her second.
A five-time winner on the LPGA Tour, Lincicome immediately followed with her first blemish of the day with a bogey on the second hole. She went on the record four birdies and two bogeys.
Wind crept into the area in the afternoon making for tougher course conditions, but it seemed to play in Lindberg's favor as she carded four birdies and one bogey to join the pack for second.
Kaori Nakamura and Junko Omote were the lone Japanese among that pack of nine tied for second place at three-under on the Kintetsu Kashikojima Country Club course in the event co-sanctioned by the U.S. and Japan LPGA tours.
South Korea’s Jiyai Shin, the Mizuno winner in 2008 and 2010, was also at 69 along with compatriots Lee Na Ri, Choi Chella, Han Hee Won and Jang Eun Bi.
Rolex Rankings No. 3, American Stacy Lewis, who last year came from seven shots back on the final day to win the title, started off with a modest 71 to share 20th place with U.S. tour regular Mika Miyazato and Scotland’s Catriona Matthew.
Lewis, ranked third in the world, is going for her fourth title of the season.
There are 35 players under-par and right in the tournament.
There are only two Australians in the field, Karrie Webb, a winner of the event in 2006 and Lindsey Wright. Webb is at even par and tied for 36th position. The seven time major winner carded three birdies and three bogeys.
Wright is one stroke further back and tied for 49th position.