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Sakagami grabs Sumitomo VISA lead

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Posted: Friday July 23, 1999 10:52 AM

CHONAN, Japan (AP) -- Harumi Sakagami shot her career best of 6-under-par 66 Friday for a one-stroke lead after the opening round of the $500,000 Sumitomo VISA Taiheiyo Club Ladies.

Sakagami, looking for her first title this season and second overall, sank six birdies in a bogey-free trek over the 6,390-yard (5,815-meter), par-72 La Vista Golf Resort course.

"My previous career best was a 67 that I had in the final round at the Goyo Construction Ladies last year," Sakagami said. She won, for her only victory so far.

"I wasn't feeling well today. So I just tried to take it easy throughout. Maybe that helped me yield a good score," she said.

Aki Takamura, gunning for her first victory of the season and eighth overall, shot a 67 and was alone in second place.

Another stroke back at 68 were Hisako Takeda, Chieko Nishida and Ayako Shibata.

merican Vicki Goetze-Ackerman, South Korean Shin Sora and four others were tied for sixth at 69.

Defending champion Aki Nakano was in a group of 11 sharing 43rd at 1-over 73.

 

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