Miyu Yamashita picked up where she left off, opening with a bogey-free 66 to take a share of the early lead at the Toto Japan Classic. The world No. 4 looks to go back-to-back after successfully defending her title last week in Malaysia.
A three-time winner so far this season on the LPGA, Yamashita hit 17 greens and took 29 putts at Taiheiyo Club Minori Course. She co-leads with compatriots Aki Iwai and Sayaka Takahashi.
Aki (the one who is air walking here) co-leads after the first round in Japan. Chizzy is four back. These two are great! pic.twitter.com/ZNHjz3EMfD
— Beth Ann Nichols (@GolfweekNichols) November 5, 2026
Yamashita, the 2025 AIG Women's British Open champion, has won five times on three different tours this season. In addition to her three wins on the LPGA, she won the Sony JLPGA Championship,
which is a major on that tour. Last month, she won the Aramco Championship in South Korea. Yamashita finished third last year at the Toto.
Aki Iwai, who was a rookie last year on the LPGA alongside twin sister Chizzy, has six top-10s this season, including a T-2 at the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship and a third at the Amundi Evian.
Takahashi has won twice on the JLPGA this year and is making her sixth appearance at the Toto. She's currently No. 39 in the world.
Only three players in the top 15 at the Toto are not from Japan.
World No. 2 Jeeno Thitikul opened with a surprising 74 that included five bogeys.
Beth Ann Nichols is a senior writer for Golfweek covering the LPGA and all things women's golf. Follow her on X/Twitter (@GolfweekNichols).
This article originally appeared on Golfweek: Miyu Yamashita co-leads in Japan, looks to win sixth title worldwide in 2026
