Yokoo holds early advantage

Kaname Yokoo shot a seven-under-par 63 to take a one-stroke lead at the end of the opening round of the Golf Nippon Series JT Cup today.

The 36-year-old reeled off 10 birdies without dropping a shot through 17 holes and was well on course for a stunning 10-under-par round.

However, Yokoo finished with a triple bogey on the par-three 18th to return to the clubhouse at seven under.

Jeev Milkha Singh, who won the tournament in 2006, is tied for second at six under alongside four other players having carded a six-under 64 at the Tokyo Yomiuri Country Club.

Toshinori Muto is a stroke further behind at five under while defending champion Brendan Jones and Japanese teenage prodigy Ryo Ishikawa are in a group of five players tied seventh at three under.