Green, Suzuki share lead at Japan Classic

Australia’s Hannah Green and Japan’s Ai Suzuki are tied for the lead at 5 under par following the first round of the TOTO Japan Classic in Otsu-shi, Shiga.

Green and Suzuki each carded opening round 67s, one shot better than a group of players at 4-under that includes former No. 1 Lydia Ko of New Zealand, American Tour rookie Jennifer Kupcho, Australia’s Minjee Lee, South Korea’s Hyo Joo Kim, Mexico’s Gaby Lopez and Taipei’s Teresa Lu.

South Korea’s Jeongeun Lee6, who has already secured Rookie of the Year honours, is at 2-under. Defending champion Nasa Hataoka is among a group of players four shots off the pace at 1-under.

Top-ranked American Lexi Thompson struggled to a 2-over 74 on Friday and sits seven shots off the lead.

Green enjoyed a bogey-free round on the Seta Golf Course while rolling in five birdies. It marked her lowest score since the final round of the Cambia Portland Classic in August, where she picked up her second career LPGA Tour victory. The 22-yearold also won the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship.

“I was very consistent,” Green said.

“I hit a couple bad drives, but I got lucky, I think, with where the positions were. But when I did miss shots, I think I left myself the best opportunity to make par. I gave myself a lot of uphill putts, which I think is really important this week.”

Suzuki recorded six birdies against a lone bogey on the par4 11th hole. The former major champion and 2017 TOTO Japan Classic runner-up is coming off a victory at the Hisako Higuchi Mitsubishi Electric Ladies Golf Tournament — her 14th victory on the JLPGA.

There are no Canadians in the field.

The LPGA season wraps up Nov. 21-24 at the Tour Championship in Florida.