Miyu Yamashita co-leads in Japan, chasing her sixth win of 2026.

OMITAMA, Japan — Miyu Yamashita shares the first-round lead at the Toto Japan Classic.

She shot a 6-under 66 on Thursday at the Taiheiyo Club.

That puts her in a three-way tie with fellow Japanese players Aki Iwai and Sayaka Takahashi.

They lead by one stroke over a group of three players at 5-under 67.

That group includes Minami Hiruta, Pajaree Anannarukarn and Fuka Suga.

Nine players are two shots back after rounds of 68.

Among them is defending champion Nasa Hataoka.

Yamashita is coming off a win at the Maybank Championship in Malaysia last weekend.

That victory was her third LPGA win of the 2026 season.

It was also her fifth title worldwide this year, counting wins on other tours.

A win in Japan would make it two in a row.

It would also be her fourth LPGA win of 2026.

And her sixth worldwide title of the year.

The Toto Japan Classic is the final event of the LPGA's late-season Asian swing.

It is the fourth of four tournaments in that stretch.

The Asian swing began in early October.

Players have traveled through South Korea, China, Malaysia and now Japan.

Yamashita has played in three of the four events.

She won in Malaysia and now leads in Japan.

Aki Iwai is also in strong form.

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

That event was played in the United States.

Iwai shot her 66 in the first round in Omitama.

Sayaka Takahashi matched that number.

All three leaders are Japanese.

The course is playing at 6,598 yards.

That is a relatively short layout by LPGA standards.

Many LPGA courses measure over 6,600 yards.

Some stretch beyond 6,800 yards.

The shorter length rewards accuracy and putting.

Yamashita is known for both.

She is one of the most consistent putters on tour.

She also hits a high percentage of fairways.

That combination works well on a course like Taiheiyo Club.

The Toto Japan Classic has been an LPGA event since 1973.

It is one of the longest-running tournaments on the schedule.

Japanese players have historically performed well here.

Nasa Hataoka won the event in 2025.

She shot 68 in the first round this year.

She is two strokes back.

Jeeno Thitikul is also in the field.

Thitikul is the favorite to win for a fifth time in 2026.

She has four LPGA wins this season.

That includes a major championship.

Thitikul is not among the leaders after round one.

But she is within striking distance.

The leaderboard is crowded at the top.

Three players share the lead at 6-under.

Three more are at 5-under.

Nine are at 4-under.

That means 15 players are within two shots of the lead.

Yamashita's recent form has been dominant.

She won the Maybank Championship by multiple strokes.

That win came after a tie for third at the BMW Ladies Championship in South Korea.

She also won the Portland Classic earlier in 2026.

And the HSBC Women's World Championship in Singapore.

Those are LPGA victories.

She has also won twice on the Japan LPGA Tour this year.

That brings her total to five worldwide wins.

A sixth would be the most of any player on the LPGA in 2026.

It would also be the most worldwide wins by a Japanese player in a single season.

The tournament continues with the second round on Friday.

The cut will be made after 36 holes.

Yamashita tees off in the final group.

She will play alongside Iwai and Takahashi.

That group will draw the largest gallery.

Japanese fans have come out in strong numbers.

The weather forecast calls for clear conditions.

That should allow for low scores.

Yamashita's game is built for pressure.

She has won multiple times in playoff situations.

She has also come from behind to win.

And she has held leads on the final day.

Her experience in winning situations is an advantage.

She has now won five times in 2026.

That includes three LPGA titles.

She is widely considered the best player in Japan right now.

And one of the best in the world.

The LPGA season continues after this event.

There are several tournaments remaining in 2026.

But the Asian swing is the final stretch of international travel.

After Japan, the tour returns to the United States.

Players will have a short break before the final events.

Yamashita's 2026 season has already been historic.

She has won on three different continents.

She has won in Asia, North America and Australia.

That kind of global success is rare.

Only a handful of players have done it in a single season.

The Toto Japan Classic offers a full purse.

The winner receives a significant prize.

That prize counts toward the LPGA money list.