Jones shares Japan lead

Australian Brendan Jones shares the lead with Shingo Katayama on three-under-par following the opening round of the Japan Open Golf Championship in Fukuoka.

Japan's Katayama, the world No.61, and Jones carded 68s, each firing five birdies and two bogeys to share the lead by one stroke from Kaname Yokoo.

Ryo Ishikawa was fourth on one-under as only four players dipped below par at Koga Golf Club.

The flamboyant Katayama - aiming for a 25th Japan Tour victory and a second of the season after winning May's Japan PGA Championship - carded birdies on the par-four first and par-three sixth but bogeys on holes 10 and 11 brought him back to level par.

But the 35-year-old recovered with birdies on the next two holes before he picked up a further shot on the par-five 16th.

Jones joined Katayama at the top of the leaderboard after three birdies on a bogey-free front nine and two bogeys and two further birdies on the back nine.

Defending champion Toru Taniguchi was tied for 30th on four-over.