Power of Caring
  presented by CIGNA

Takami leads Aiful Cup

Click here for more on this story

Posted: Thursday July 22, 1999 11:33 AM

AJIGASAWA, Japan (AP) -- Kazuhiro Takami shot his career best of 8-under-par 64 Thursday and took a three-stroke lead after the opening round of the $759,000 Aiful Cup.

Takami, seeking his first victory of the season and third overall, birdied the first three holes and added five more birdies in a bogey-free trek over the 7,103-yard (6,464-meter), par-72 Ajigasawa Kogen Golf Course.

"I hit it close and missed none of the putts shorter than 5 meters (15 feet) today," Takami said. "It's only the first round. I'll try not to think about the lead."

Tied for second at 67 were Toshimitsu Izawa, Ikuo Shirahama and Tetsuji Hiratsuka.

Yasuharu Imano, Toru Taniguchi, Australian Richard Backwell, Hsieh Chin-sheng of Taiwan and Shinobu Ishii were another stroke back at 68.

Defending champion Hidemichi Tanaka, American Todd Hamilton, Taichi Teshima, Tsukasa Watanabe, Myanmar's Zaw Moe and eight others shared 10th at 69.

The event offers a top prize of $148,000.

 

Related information
Stats
Aiful Cup Scores
Multimedia
Click here for the latest audio and video
Search our site	Watch CNN/SI 24 hours a day
	Sports Illustrated and CNN have combined to form a 24 hour sports news and information channel. To receive CNN/SI at your home call your cable operator or DirecTV.