Yokoo leads Panasonic Open; Couples eight back

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OSAKA, Japan -- Japan's Kaname Yokoo fired a blistering eight-under-par 62 to grab the first round lead at the Asia-Pacific Panasonic Open on Thursday with Chinese star Liang Wen-chong heading the chasing pack.

Yokoo, a five-time winner in Japan but looking to end a two-year title drought, was flawless as he posted eight birdies to lead by two shots from reigning Asian Tour number one Liang, who returned a 64 at Ibaraki Country Club's West Course.

Australia's Marcus Both, a winner in Asia, also carded a 64 after enjoying a flying start with three birdies and eagle in his first five holes at the $1.85 million event sanctioned by the Asian Tour and Japan Golf Tour.

Liang's compatriot, Zhang Lian-wei is also in the hunt following a 65 which was matched by Korea's Kim Kyung-tae and Norio Shinozaki of Japan.

The 36-year-old Yokoo started strongly with two opening birdies before turning in five under. Three more birdies on the 13th, 15th and 18th holes saw him light up an overcast day at the inaugural Panasonic Open.

"I'm happy with the round. I hit a lot of good shots and my putting was nearly perfect," said Yokoo, who holed two long putts from over 20 feet on the first and ninth holes.

"The two early birdies got my round going. I missed the cut last week but I feel I'm in pretty good condition. I didn't make any mistake out there, so it was good."

Liang shrugged off the lingering effects of a cold to nail eight birdies against two bogeys as he kept up his bid for a second career title. The 30-year-old Chinese, who has five top-three finishes in Japan, needed only 24 putts to stay hot on the leader's heels.

"I putted nicely," said Liang, China's first winner of the Asian Tour's Order of Merit following one win and eight top-10s last year.

"I've been taking various medication for the past four days for my cold and I'm feeling a bit better. I'm happy with this start as the leader enjoyed a great round. I like this golf course, so I'm going to keep trying to stay close to the lead. Today is only the first day."

Both, winner of the Sanya Open in China in 2004, birdied the first hole from a foot and nailed a four iron to a similar distance for a brilliant eagle at the next hole to jump start his day. He is feeling right at home at the Ibaraki's West Course.

"It's a good start, you don't often hit five under after five holes. It's nice to play on greens that are similar to those in Melbourne and get away from the Bermuda greens from most places that we play in Asia," said Both.

"I've been playing quite nicely of late but not getting the results. I tend to struggle to hole the higher percentages of putts on the Bermuda greens which is what it comes down to. The greens here are really nice."

Current Asian Tour Order of Merit leader Mark Brown of New Zealand was amongst those bunched on 66. He was relieved to enjoy a timely return to form and also basked in the warm weather of Asia after a stint in Europe.

"I played well from tee to green. I made a couple of bad tee shots but got away with it and managed to hole some good putts at the end," said Brown, who has won twice this season to lead the rankings with over $650,000.

"I lost a bit of confidence with the way I played in Europe over the last few weeks and I was hoping to get it back here in Asia. I think the warm weather helps as I'm swinging it more freely without jumpers and rain suits on."

Former U.S. Open champion Angel Cabrera of Argentina shot a 68 while American Fred Couples opened with a 70. Local teenage sensation Ryo Ishikawa struggled to a 76.

Cabrera, searching for a first victory of the season, sank five birdies but dropped three shots, including one on his last hole at the ninth following a wayward drive. "I played very well but it was a pity that I bogeyed the last hole. But I'm happy with the way I played and I'll try to go as low as possible tomorrow."