Yuka Saso made four birdies coming home to take the clubhouse lead with five-under par 67 Thursday at the start of the 2020 Nitori Ladies golf tournament at the Otaru Country Club in Hokkaido, Japan.

The 19-year-old Filipino-Japanese, who scored a maiden victory in the Japan LPGA Tour two weeks ago, led Sakura Koiwai by one shot in the 200-million yen (about $1.9 million) tournament.

Saso, who started in the back nine, fired an eagle on the par-5 13th hole, but dropped a shot in the par-4 15th to make the turn at one-under.

She birdied 2 and strung up three straight birdies from 6 to surge to the lead.

The 72-hole tournament is played in one of the tour’s toughest courses measuring 6,695 yards. (Daily Tribune)