Japan's Shiho Oyama upstaged the US LPGA Tour regulars by firing a four-under 68 to take a one-stroke lead after the first round of the $US1.2 million ($A1.27 million) Mizuno Classic on Friday.
Oyama, a 12-time winner on the Japan LPGA Tour but winless since 2011, overcame a sore neck to card six birdies and two bogeys on the par-72 Kintetsu Kashikojima Country Club course in Shima, central Japan.
A shot behind, two-time former champion Shin Ji-Yai was among five South Koreans in a nine-way tie for second place, along with American Brittany Lincicome and Sweden's Pernilla Lindberg.
Also at three-under 69 were South Korea's Lee Na Ri, who has won twice over the past two months on the Japan LPGA Tour, Choi Chella, Han Hee-Won and Jang Eun-Bi. Others in the group are Japan's Kaori Nakamura and Junko Omote.
Americans Austin Ernst, Brittany Lang and Danielle Kang were another shot back in a group of nine at two-under.
Defending champion Stacy Lewis of the United States, the highest-ranked player in the tournament at No.3, could only manage two birdies against one bogey and was three shots back in a large group tied for 20th place.
"I'm just glad I could make it around the course without any problems," said Oyama, who underwent massage and acupuncture to overcome the intense pain.
"It's a miracle that I recovered."
The tournament, which offers a top prize of $US180,000 ($A191,000), is the final event on the US LPGA Tour's Asian swing. It is co-sanctioned by the US and Japan tours.
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