Miyu Yamashita chases a sixth worldwide title with a share of the lead.

Miyu Yamashita, who won the LPGA’s Maybank Championship in Malaysia over the weekend, was among three players atop the leaderboard after Thursday’s first round of the Toto Japan Classic.

Yamashita and fellow Japanese players Aki Iwai and Sayaka Takahashi each shot 6-under 66.

That gave them a one-stroke lead over a group of three players just off the pace.

The Toto Japan Classic is being played at the Taiheiyo Club in Omitama, Japan.

The course measures 6,598 yards.

Minami Hiruta, Pajaree Anannarukarn and Fuka Suga shot 67 on Thursday.

Nine players, including defending champion Nasa Hataoka, were two off the lead after shooting 68.

The Toto Japan Classic is the last of four tournaments in the LPGA’s late-season Asian swing.

For Yamashita, a win this week would be her fourth on the LPGA in 2026.

She won the Maybank Championship in Malaysia just days ago.

Combined with her other victories this season, a fourth LPGA win would give her six worldwide titles in 2026.

That would be a career milestone for the 26-year-old from Japan.

Yamashita has been one of the most consistent players on tour this year.

Her win in Malaysia came after a strong performance in the final round.

She carried that momentum into the first round in Japan.

Starting with a share of the lead puts her in position to go back-to-back.

Aki Iwai, who is tied with Yamashita, is also coming off a strong result.

Iwai finished tied for second in the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship in late September.

Sayaka Takahashi, the third co-leader, is looking for her first LPGA win.

Takahashi has been playing solid golf on the Japanese circuit.

She is taking advantage of the opportunity to compete on home soil.

The Toto Japan Classic features a strong field of LPGA players.

Jeeno Thitikul enters as the favorite to win for a fifth time this year.

Thitikul has been dominant in 2026 with four wins already.

Defending champion Nasa Hataoka is also in the field.

Hataoka won this event in 2025.

She is two shots back after the first round.

The LPGA’s Asian swing has been a test of endurance for players.

It started with tournaments in China and South Korea.

Then moved to Malaysia for the Maybank Championship.

Now it ends in Japan at the Taiheiyo Club.

The course is known for its tight fairways and fast greens.

Players need accuracy off the tee to score well.

Yamashita’s game fits the course well.

She is one of the longer hitters on tour.

But she also has a delicate short game.

That combination has helped her win three times on the LPGA this year.

She also won three times on the Japan LPGA in 2026.

Those wins came earlier in the season.

Her worldwide total for the year stands at five wins.

A win this week would make it six.

That would tie her with some of the best seasons in recent memory.

The LPGA season is winding down.

Players are fighting for final positioning in the points race.

Yamashita is already near the top of the standings.

Another win would solidify her case for player of the year.

The first round saw low scoring across the board.

Three players at 6-under is a strong start.

The field is tight heading into the second round.

Only one stroke separates the leaders from the next group.

Two strokes separate the leaders from the defending champion.

Anything can happen over the next three days.

Yamashita has experience closing out tournaments.

She has won multiple times in pressure situations.

Her win in Malaysia came after a final-round charge.

She will need to maintain that intensity in Japan.

The home crowd will be behind her.

Japanese fans have been following her career closely.

She is one of the most popular players in the country.

Playing at home adds extra motivation.

But it also adds pressure.

Yamashita has handled that pressure well in the past.

She won the Toto Japan Classic in 2023.

That experience could help her this week.

She knows what it takes to win on this course.

The second round begins Friday morning local time.

Players will face different conditions.

Wind and weather could affect scoring.

The leaders will tee off in the afternoon.

That gives them a chance to see how the course plays.

Yamashita will be paired with Iwai and Takahashi.

That grouping features three Japanese players.

The home crowd will have plenty to cheer for.

The tournament will be broadcast on Golf Channel in the United States.

Fans can also follow live scoring online.