Japanese stars are hot on the trail of Woods

The only thing Japanese fans want to see more than a Tiger Woods victory at the ZOZO Championship this week is a win by a homegrown talent.

Their two favourite sons, Hideki Matsuyama and Ryo Ishikawa, were well placed after the first round Thursday in Chiba, Japan. Matsuyama shot a 5-under-par 65 and was one stroke behind leaders Woods and Gary Woodland, while Ishikawa was four back at 68.

The sellout gallery gave the event an atmosphere like a major.

“I was excited that fans were calling out my name, so it became my motivation,” said Matsuyama. “We don’t normally have such big crowds.”

While Matsuyama has enjoyed better success to date, Ishikawa remains a beloved figure in his homeland, 13 years after bursting onto the scene by winning a Japan Tour event as a 15-year-old amateur.

Corey Conners was the top Canadian at 1 under, while Adam Hadwin was at 1 over.

Minjee Lee survived wicked weather to card the top round at the inaugural BMW Ladies Championship at LPGA International Busan Thursday in South Korea.

The 23-year-old Australian was at 6 under (66) and played through heavy rain and wind with measured precipitation totals on site at more than a third of an inch. She has a one-shot lead over Danielle Kang, Jin Young Ko, Jeongeun Lee6 and Seung Yeon Lee.

“At the very start of the round, (the rain) was probably not so bad. It wasn’t heavy rain. It was almost drizzle. So the course wasn’t playing too difficult at that point,” said Lee, who birdied her five holes before adding another on her final hole, the ninth. “I tried to take advantage on the first few holes that we had with no rain, so I think I had a really great start to start my day.”

Alena Sharp was the top Canadian at 1 under, while Brooke Henderson was 1 over.