Home player Kaname Yokoo shot a bogey-free six-under-par 65 to take the first-round lead in the Phoenix tournament in Miyazaki, Japan, yesterday with Australian veteran Greg Norman among those hot on his trail on 67 while Darren Clarke kept in touch with a 70.

Norman closed in with three straight birdies. Sergio Garcia was one stroke further back on 68. Fellow Spaniard and US Masters champion Jose Maria Olazabal trailed by another stroke.