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Rookie Yoneyama leads Kosaido Ladies
Posted: Friday May 28, 1999 12:42 PM
ICHIHARA, Japan (AP) -- Rookie Midori Yoneyama shot a 3-under-par 69 on Friday to take a one-stroke lead in the first round of the 60 million yen ($490,000) Kosaido Ladies. With no one better than 2-under-par, Yoneyama birdied the final two holes to finish ahead of Mineko Nasu and South Korean WonJae-sook, who tied for second at 70. The 23-year-old Yoneyama is in contention for her first title since joining the Japan LPGA Tour in September. Miyuki Shimabukuro, Yuri Kawanami, Kyoko Ono and South Korean Kim Ae-sook were in a group of seven sharing fourth at 71. Regarding the relatively high scores of first-round leaders in relation to par, Yoneyama said, "It's hard to reach the small greens out there in regulation, and it's also tough to read the slick green." Yoneyama got off to a good start in a couple of tournaments earlier this season. In the season-opening Daikin Orchid Ladies in March, Yoneyama led the first round by three shots with an 8-under 64. But she fell back with a 73 and then a 75 to settle for a tie for seventh. Three weeks ago in the Gunze Cup, Yoneyama again was atop the leaderboard with an opening 69, one shot ahead of South Korean Pak Se-ri and two others. Yoneyama faltered, however, failing to break par in each of the next three rounds. She finished tied for sixth with five others, including Pak, winner of two majors last year as a U.S. LPGA Tour rookie. "What I need is consistency," Yoneyama admitted. "I want to find a consistent rhythm and learn a way to carry it on." Fumiko Muraguchi, gunning for her third straight tournament title, shot a 72.
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