World No 236 Hana Wakimoto shot a fabulous nine-under-par 63 to take a surprise two-stroke lead over a star-studded field in the LPGA Tour’s Japan Classic on Thursday.
South Korea’s former world No 1 and two-time Major winner Ko Jin-young was second after a flawless 65 containing seven birdies.
But the 27-year-old Japan LPGA player Wakimoto showed no nerves in a field packed with elite players and Major winners, firing nine birdies and no bogeys.
Behind lurked gaggle of big-name players with Sweden’s Linn Grant, Japan’s Ayaka Furue, plus South Korean pair Kim Hyo-joo and Jenny Shin locked in a share of third on six under par at Seta Golf Course in Otsu-shi.
Furue, who won the Evian Championship in July for her first major, had just one dropped shot in her 66.
Australia’s Minjee Lee, another double Major champion, was on five under alongside Thailand Ariya Jutanugarn and Korea’s Ryu Hae-ran, who finished third at last week’s Maybank Championship in Malaysia.
Reigning US Open champion Yuka Saso and South Africa’s Paula Reto were among several players on three under par, along with Thai pair Chanettee Wannasaen and Moriya Jutanugarn.
Scotland’s Gemma Dryburgh, the 2022 champion, was nine shots adrift on even par.
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© Agence France-Presse
Photo: Yoshimasa Nakano/Getty Images
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