England’s Luke Donald claimed a share of the first round lead with a six under par 65 at the Dunlop Phoenix in Japan.
The World Number Three, appearing in the event for the first time since 2007, carded eight birdies and two bogeys at Phoenix Country Club to share top spot with Australian Brendan Jones and home favourite Hideto Tanihara.
Japanese golfers Koichiro Kawano and Shunsuke Sonada are two strokes behind the leaders, while Spanish pair Alvaro Quiros and Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano started with one under par rounds of 70.
Local favourite Ryo Ishikawa shot a 73 a week after claiming his first victory for two years at the Taiheiyo Masters.
Dane Thorbjorn Olesen is one over par but Italy’s Edoardo Molinari - continuing his return from injury - shot a disappointing 76.
