Aussie Green joint leader at Japan golf

Australian golfer Hannah Green has shot a five-under-par 67 to finish the first round of the LPGA Japan Classic tied for the lead with local favourite Ai Suzuki.

Green carded five birdies on Friday at the par-72 Seta course to finish one stroke ahead of six players including fellow Australian Minjee Lee, Lydia Ko of New Zealand and American Jennifer Kupcho.

Ko had an erratic round comprising seven birdies, a double bogey and a bogey in the final event of the LPGA Tour's Asia Swing.

Su Oh, the other Australian in the field, fired an even-par 72 to be in an eight-way tie for 40th.

Defending champion Nasa Hataoka of Japan shot a 71 and was tied for 35th. American Lexi Thompson, making her first start since September's Indy Women in Tech Championship, struggled to a two-over 74.

Two-time Japan Classic winner Shanshan Feng of China was three strokes back after a 70.

AAP