Sizzling start sends Hana Wakimoto to 2-shot lead in Japan

Hana Wakimoto of Japan matched a tournament record with a bogey-free 9-under-par 63 on Thursday to seize a two-stroke lead after the first round of the Toto Classic in Shiga, Japan.

Starting on the 10th hole at Seta Golf Course, Wakimoto hit 15 of 18 fairways and recorded her ninth birdie on the final hole to cap the best round of her career.

"So recently my ball striking has been very good so I have been confident in my shot and I could attack pin today," said Wakimoto, who has been a member of the JLPGA since 2018.

"Also my putting was great so overall I shot a good score."

It's quite impressive actually, considering Wakimoto was making her first start at the tournament.

Wakimoto's 63 was two strokes better than her previous best score, set in the first round of the 2019 AXA Ladies Golf Tournament in Miyazaki and matched in the opening round of the 2023 Ai Miyazato Suntory Ladies Open Golf Tournament.

Former World No 1 Jin Young Ko of South Korea finished strong to reside at 7-under for the tournament. She made one birdie during her first nine holes before sinking six more to put herself into contention.

"I mean I didn't do anything on the front nine," Ko said after her bogey-free round. "Yeah, I played really nice on the back nine. I do not know what happened but I really tried my best and I just want to keep myself. It's been a while since I played good score this year so I am so happy."

Major champion Ayaka Furue of Japan collected seven birdies against one bogey to find herself in a four-way tie for third place with Linn Grant of Sweden and Hyo Joo Kim and Jenny Shin of South Korea. Furue is bidding for her first win on the LPGA Tour since capturing the Amundi Evian Championship earlier this year.

Australian Minjee Lee finished 5-under to pull into a tie for seventh place with Ariya Jutanugarn of Thailand and Haeran Ryu of South Korea.

Canadian Brooke Henderson is 2-under and tied for 34th place. She returned to the event for the first time since 2018 after tying for 10th last week at the Maybank Championship.

This is the fourth and final stop on the LPGA Tour's four-event fall Asia swing. It is a 72-hole tournament with no cut. The 78-player field for the co-sponsored event includes 35 JLPGA members.