Yamashita Shares TOTO Japan Lead as Three Home Favourites Fire 66s on Rainy Thursday

Miyu Yamashita picked up exactly where she left off, opening with a bogey-free 66 to take a share of the first-round lead at the TOTO Japan Classic in Japan. The world number four, who won the Maybank Championship in Malaysia last weekend, was joined at six under by fellow Japanese players Aki Iwai and Sayaka Takahashi after a rainy Thursday at the Taiheiyo Club Minori Course in Omitama. The trio leads by one stroke over Minami Hiruta, Pajaree Anannarukarn and Fuka Suga, who each shot 67, while nine players including defending champion Nasa Hataoka sit two back after 68s. Yamashita hit 17 greens and took 29 putts in a clean round as she chases back-to-back wins and a sixth title worldwide this season. The 2025 Women's British Open champion, a three-time winner on the LPGA Tour this year, finished third at this event last year. Iwai offset two bogeys with eight birdies, while Takahashi birdied all four par fives on the course. World number two Jeeno Thitikul struggled to a 74 with five bogeys. The tournament is the last of four events in the LPGA's late-season Asian swing, and with the home favourites setting the pace, the Japanese fans have plenty to cheer into the weekend.