Miyu Yamashita chases back-to-back LPGA wins in Japan.

Miyu Yamashita shares the first-round LPGA lead in Japan as she tries for two wins in a row.

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-66s for a one-stroke lead.

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

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

A group of three players sits one shot back after shooting 67 Thursday: Minami Hiruta, Pajaree Anannarukarn and Fuka Suga.

Nine players, including defending champion Nasa Hataoka, were two off the lead after shooting 68s on the 6,598-yard layout.

Iwai is also coming off a strong finish, having posted a T-2 result in late September at the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship.

The LPGA's Asian swing makes its final stop at the Taiheiyo Club, where Hataoka enters as the defending champion.

Jeeno Thitikul is the favorite to win for a fifth time this year, according to pre-tournament odds.

Yamashita's win in Malaysia came just days before the start of this event, giving her little time to reset.

She carried that momentum directly into the first round in Japan, posting a bogey-free 66.

A victory this week would give Yamashita her sixth title worldwide in 2026.

It would also mark her fourth LPGA win of the season, further solidifying her place among the tour's elite.

The field in Japan includes many of the top players on the LPGA tour, all competing in the final event of the Asian swing before the season moves on.

Yamashita's ability to perform under pressure has been a defining trait throughout her career.

She has consistently shown the ability to bounce back from setbacks and maintain focus through long stretches of competition.

The Toto Japan Classic offers a significant purse and valuable ranking points for players looking to improve their standings.

For Yamashita, a win here would be a statement — proving that her victory in Malaysia was no fluke.

She is now in position to control her own fate over the remaining three rounds.

The course at Taiheiyo Club presents its own challenges, with narrow fairways and fast greens that reward precision over power.

Yamashita's game has been well-suited to such conditions, as her recent results indicate.

Her putting has been particularly sharp, helping her save par on difficult holes and convert birdie opportunities when they arise.

The leaderboard remains tight, with multiple players within striking distance heading into the second round.

Yamashita will need to maintain her level of play to stay ahead of the pack.

Her competitors include experienced veterans and rising stars, all eager to claim the title.

The atmosphere at the tournament has been electric, with local fans showing strong support for the Japanese players.

Yamashita has drawn particularly large galleries, as fans hope to see her continue her winning ways on home soil.

The LPGA's Asian swing has been a showcase for international talent, with players from multiple countries contending each week.