Yokomine shares early lead at Japan LPGA Tour Cship

November 27, 2009

Sakura Yokomine got off to a strong start in her bid to win the money title Thursday, shooting a 3-under 69 to share the first-round lead with Momoko Ueda at the season-ending Japan LPGA Tour Championship.

The popular 23-year-old, who trails Shinobu Moromizato by 5.4 million yen in second place on the money list, made four birdies through 12 holes before posting her only bogey of the day at the 14th in the limited-field major at Miyazaki Country Club.

One stroke behind the co-leaders were South Korean Lim Eun A and Erina Hara, followed a shot further back by 2008 money leader Miho Koga.

Moromizato and Chie Arimura, third on the money list, had 73s to tie for 12th. U.S. LPGA player Ai Miyazato opened with a 74.

Moromizato has won two majors this season — the World Ladies Championship Salonpas Cup in May and the Japan LPGA Championship Konica Minolta Cup in September.

The 100 million yen 72-hole event features 23 of the top 25 players in the Japan LPGA money rankings. The winner will take home 25 million yen on Sunday.