Birdie blitz takes Ryu one clear

– Korea’s Ryu Soyeon set aside concerns about her swing to birdie five of her last eight holes and take a one-shot lead in the first round of the LGPA Japan Classic yesterday.

The world No 3, seeking her second LPGA win of the season, has been working extra-hard on the driving range and the practice paid off as she fired a seven-under 65 to lead by a stroke.

Fellow Koreans Shin Jiyai and Kim In-kyung, and Japan’s Nasa Hataoka trail by one shot. –

Tokyo