Akie Iwai leads Japan Basic after opening with 9-under 63

OMITAMA, Japan — Akie Iwai of Japan shot a 9-under 63 on Thursday to steer the primary spherical of the LPGA’s Toto Japan Basic.

Three different Japanese gamers — Nasa Hataoka, Yuna Nishimura and Mone Inami — had been a stroke again after rounds of 64 on the Taiheiyo Membership in north central Japan.

Defending champion Gemma Dryburgh of Scotland was 4 again after a 67. American Rose Zhang was 4 again with a 68 in a really crowded discipline on the prime.

Dryburgh’s victory final yr was her first on the LPGA Tour. She acquired a particular prize, a bathroom, from the Japanese sponsor Toto, which makes rest room home equipment and fixtures.

“Hoping for an additional one in every of these so as to add to the gathering!” she mentioned on Instagram whereas posing Tuesday with the sponsor’s merchandise.

Dryburgh mentioned the victory a yr in the past modified her profession.

“I do know I can compete out right here and win additionally,” she mentioned. “Competing underneath that stress, seeing the photographs that you are able to do underneath that stress as effectively, it provides you a whole lot of confidence.”