Miyu Yamashita Sits Solo Second After Opening With 66
Miyu Yamashita opened the TOTO Japan Classic with a bogey-free 66 at Taiheiyo Club Minori Course, moving into a tie for the lead before the leaderboard…
Omitama, Japan — Miyu Yamashita opened the TOTO Japan Classic with a bogey-free 6-under 66 at Taiheiyo Club Minori Course, moving into a three-way tie for the lead on Thursday. The round keeps the Japanese golfer in contention after last week’s Maybank Championship win in Malaysia.
She was sharp from the start. Yamashita hit 17 of 18 greens in regulation, needed 29 putts and made consecutive birdies to finish her opening round alongside fellow Japanese players Aki Iwai and Sayaka Takahashi.
Yamashita is pursuing her fourth LPGA Tour victory of 2026. She is ranked fourth in the world and has collected five professional wins across three tours this season, including the Sony JLPGA Championship and the Aramco Championship in South Korea.
That form gives her an early chance to build on the Malaysia victory, but the opening leaderboard is tightly packed. Three players share the lead, while several others are within two shots.
How did Yamashita reach the lead?
Consistent approach play and a clean card put Yamashita at the top. She missed just one green, made 29 putts and closed with back-to-back birdies for a 66.
The round followed her win at the Maybank Championship the previous week. Yamashita has also won the 2025 AIG Women’s Open, adding a major title to a season that has included victories across multiple tours.
Iwai matched Yamashita’s 66 after a strong back nine. She finished second at the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship and third at the Amundi Evian Championship this season.
Takahashi also carded a 66. The two-time winner on Japan’s JLPGA Tour this year shares the lead with Yamashita and Iwai, with home support expected to be behind her.
A crowded leaderboard raises the pressure
Minami Hiruta, Fuka Suga and Thailand’s Pajaree Anannarukarn opened with 67, one shot off the lead. Defending champion Nasa Hataoka is two strokes back after a 68.
World No. 2 Jeeno Thitikul faces a larger gap after posting a 2-over 74 that included five bogeys. The tournament has 54 holes remaining, leaving room for the standings to change.
For Yamashita, the opening round offers a strong position but little margin for error. Her precision has put her among the leaders; the next rounds will test whether she can sustain it against a field that includes multiple players close behind.
Yamashita finished her 66 with consecutive birdies.
