So Yeon Ryu fired a bogey-free 7-under 65 on day one at Seta Golf Club to secure the 18-hole lead at the 2018 TOTO Japan Classic.
Ryu’s opening round in Shiga, Japan was highlighted by a 5-under back-nine which included birdies on Nos. 11, 12, 13, 17 and 18.
“I think for a three-round tournament, you’re better to make sure you have a really, really good starting day,” said Ryu, whose best finish in her three TOTO Japan Classic appearances is a T3 (2016).
“I opened with a really good round, so I’m really happy that hopefully I can have this decent round two more days to go.”
Ryu was one-shot clear of two major champions in Jiyai Shin and In-Kyung Kim, as well as hometown favorite Nasa Hataoka of Japan.
Minjee Lee and Sei Young Kim were T5 at 5-under 67.
2018 TOTO Japan Classic
Round One: Top 5
1 So Yeon Ryu -7
2 Nasa Hataoka -6
2 Jiyai Shin -6
2 In-Kyung Kim -6
5 Sei Young Kim -5
5 Minjee Lee -5