Fukushima Shares Lead at Salonpas Cup

Defending champion Akiko Fukushima capitalized on an eagle on the par-4 18th to fire a 4-under 68, sharing the first-round lead with Lee Ji Hee and Shin Hyun Ju at the World Ladies Championship Salonpas Cup on Thursday.

Fukushima, who won her third major by beating Shin Ji Yai of South Korea on the fifth playoff hole at last year’s Salonpas Cup, sank one eagle, three birdies and a bogey in the sog at the par-72, 6,553-yard Ibaraki Golf Club in Tsukubamirai, Ibaraki Prefecture.

American Paula Creamer, who finished second on the U.S. LPGA money rankings last year with four victories, had three birdies against two bogeys for a 71 and shared a nine-way tie for 15th place.