Japan's Nasa Hataoka fired a bogey-free 67 to sit one shot off the pace after the opening round of the LPGA Volvik Championship on Thursday.

Hataoka carded five birdies, including four on the back nine, at the Travis Pointe Country Club to share fifth place with six others while Thailand's Moriya Jutanugarn headlines a four-way tie atop the leaderboard.

Moriya is the older sister of LPGA star Ariya, who beat Hataoka in a playoff at the Kingsmill Championship last weekend.

"Both my short putts and long shots were great and I played a good round," said Hataoka, who is chasing her maiden LPGA Tour title.

"I want to be more consistent off the tee. I hope I can play as aggressively tomorrow," she said.

(Hataoka tees off on the first hole)

Hataoka, who is coming off an LPGA Tour career-best second place finish, completed a difficult up and down from a bunker on the second hole and made her first birdie in the par-5 sixth. The 19-year-old said she thought she had blemished her card on 17, but saved par with a 16-footer.

Hataoka's compatriot Ayako Uehara had five birdies and one bogey in her round of 68, leaving her one shot further back in 12th.

"My form has been good all along. I should be able to move up (the leaderboard) if I make more short putts. I couldn't convert all my chances and I still got this score, so I'm looking forward to the second round," Uehara said.

(Moriya Jutanugarn lines up her putt on the 16th green)
[Getty/Kyodo]