Yokoo shows the way

The Dunlop Phoenix tournament is loaded with some of the world’s top players, including the iconic Tiger Woods, but a little known Japanese golfer has stolen their thunder.

Kaname Yokoo, a 30-year-old from Tokyo who has just finished his second year on the American PGA Tour, fired a five-under round of 66 in round one and did even better today with a blistering 65.

That pushed him four shots clear of European duo Sergio Garcia and Justin Rose plus Zaw Moe of Myanmar.

Yokoo, whose best finish in the United States was his joint second at the Phoenix Open this year, shone this afternoon with three consecutive birdies from the 11th hole.

Garcia had the strongest finish of anyone in the tournament with four birdies in his last six holes.

Woods, the world number one who is back in Japan for the first time since last November’s World Cup of golf, bounced back from yesterday’s error-ridden round to shoot a three under 68.

He started the day on level par 71 and trailed overnight leader Darren Clarke by seven shots.

Woods eagled the fourth but was unable to build any momentum and only added a birdie at 16.

Clarke was unable to reproduce his sparkling 64 of yesterday and only managed a one over par 72. He is one of five players who are five shots behind Yokoo.

Defending champion David Duval’s third birdie on the back nine has left him in the hunt although he is seven shots behind Yokoo.

England’s Lee Westwood is level with Woods on three under after a 68.