Kiwi professional Richard Lee has fired a three under par 68 in the opening round of the Token Homemate Cup on the Japan Golf Tour to be in a share of eighth place.
The North Harbour player, who is back on the Japan Tour after earning his card in qualifying last year, has made a fast start in the first event of the year.
He made four birdies and a bogey throughout his round to be four shots back from the leader Tatsunori Nukaga of Japan.
David Smail, a five-time winner on the Japan Golf Tour, has got off to a slow start.
The Waikato pro carded a two over par 73 to be off the pace in a share of 85th place.