Hiruta and Takahashi share Fujitsu Ladies lead after opening 65s
In short
Minami Hiruta (蛭田みな美) and Shizuku Takahashi (高橋しずく) shared the first-round lead at the Fujitsu Ladies on October 15 after shooting seven-under-par 65s. Taiwan's Tsai Pei-ying (サイ・ペイイン) was one stroke behind in third.
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Minami Hiruta (蛭田みな美) and Shizuku Takahashi (高橋しずく) opened the Fujitsu Ladies with seven-under-par 65s to share the lead on October 15. The first round was played at Tokyu Seven Hundred Club in Chiba Prefecture on a 6,717-yard, par-72 course. Nikkei identified the venue as the west course and reported that the tournament had expanded from its previous three-day format to four days. [ 1 , 2 ]
Hiruta, who has one tour victory, is seeking a second title for the first time in three seasons, according to Sankei. Takahashi is aiming for her first tour win. Taiwan's Tsai Pei-ying (サイ・ペイイン) finished one stroke behind the leaders in third, leaving the two Japanese players with a narrow advantage after the opening round. [ 1 , 2 ]
Ayaka Furue (古江彩佳), who has won this event three times, shared fourth place with Sakura Koiwai (小祝さくら) and South Korea's Lee Min-young (イ・ミニョン) after rounds of 67. Annual points leader Shiho Kuwaki (桑木志帆) and second-ranked Akari Sakuma (佐久間朱莉) were among nine players tied seventh at four under, according to Nikkei. [ 1 , 2 ]
South Korea's Jiyai Shin (申ジエ), playing for the first time since winning the Japan Women's Open and securing permanent tour exemption, opened with a four-over 76 to stand 94th. Nikkei said defending champion Ayako Kimura (木村彩子) was not competing. Sankei reported a field of 108 players, including 12 amateurs, a total purse of ¥150 million and a winner's prize of ¥27 million. [ 1 , 2 ]
Why it matters
Hiruta is seeking her second tour win, while Takahashi is pursuing her first. The event has expanded from three days to four, according to Nikkei.
Key facts
- Hiruta and Takahashi led at seven under after the opening round. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Tsai Pei-ying was one stroke behind the leaders in third. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Ayaka Furue (古江彩佳), Sakura Koiwai (小祝さくら) and Lee Min-young (イ・ミニョン) shared fourth after rounds of 67. [ 2 ]
- Points leader Shiho Kuwaki (桑木志帆) was among players tied seventh on four under. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Jiyai Shin (申ジエ) opened with a 76 and was 94th. [ 1 , 2 ]