Defending champion Shanshan Feng fired a 6-under 66 on Friday to share a seven-way lead after the first round of the LPGA Tour's Japan Classic.
Feng carded six birdies in a bogey-free round at the Taiheiyo Club. She was joined at 6 under by Americans Lizette Salas and Jane Park, Saiki Fujita, Ai Suzuki and Nasa Hataoka and Lee Ming-yong of South Korea.
Minjee Lee is the best placed Australian in equal 38th place, with Sarah-Jane Smith tied for 47th and Su Oh in last on five over.
Feng has made 19 starts on the LPGA with 10 top-10 finishes and a victory at the LPGA Volvik Championship in May.
Anna Nordqvist was a further stroke back at 5 under, tied for eighth with South Koreans Sei Young Kim and Chae Young Yoon.
Lexi Thompson offset three bogeys with seven birdies for a 68 and was tied for 11th in a group of 13 players including No. 1-ranked So Yeon Ryu, Lydia Ko and Stacy Lewis.
