Jeev Milkha Singh, coming off a great fortnight in China, carded a six-under 64 in the first round of the Crowns 120 million yen tournament at the Nagoya Golf Club's Wago course in Japan.
The 34-year-old, who picked his first victory in seven years at the Volvo China Open two weeks ago, was two shots behind leader Soushi Tajima, who returned a card of eight-under 62, and one behind Shingo Katayama (63).
Jeev began the day with birdies on the first two holes, 4th and 9th to come through the opening nine in four-under. Two more birdies followed on the 10th and 11th, which got him to six-under after 11 holes.
But the run was halted as he bogeyed the 12th. He got that shot back with a birdie on the 14th, and pared the rest for his 64.
"It was a perfect day for golf and it felt nice to open 2006 in Japan with such a start. I hope to build on this day," said Jeev, who plans to play in Korea at the SK Telecom next week.
Jeev reached 83 per cent greens in regulation and needed only 27 putts with no three-putts.
Tajima, 29, was in sensational form in his round of 62 with just 24 putts and no bogeys. He was six-under for the front nine and had two more on the back nine.
The 33-year-old Katayama, the winner here in 2004, went even better with just 23 putts in his 63. He had three birdies on the front nine and four on the back with no bogeys on a day, when the leaders played error-free golf.
