Hataoka Leads LPGA Tournament of Champions by One

ORLANDO, Fla. Nasa Hataoka of Japan fired a 6-under 66 to take a one-shot lead after the first round of the LPGA Tour's season-opening Tournament of Champions on Thursday at Lake Nona Golf & Country Club.

Hataoka, who secured her first LPGA victory in nearly three years with a playoff win at the Japan Classic in November, carried momentum into the chilly conditions. She played the back nine in 4 under, collecting seven birdies overall to edge ahead of a strong field limited to winners from the past two seasons.

Trailing at 5 under were Atthaya Thitikul of Thailand, Chanettee Wannasaen of Thailand, Lottie Woad of England and Linn Grant of Sweden. Thitikul, last year's LPGA player of the year, posted one of the tour's most dominant seasons, highlighted by three victories including the Tour Championship, runner-up finishes at The Evian Championship and a strong showing at the Women's PGA Championship. She tallied six birdies against one bogey in her 67. Wannasaen also shot 67 with seven birdies, while Grant matched the score by birdieing her final two holes. Woad, a 22-year-old who turned professional last summer, reached 6 under through 17 holes before a bogey on the par-4 18th...