U.S. Team Takes 4-2 Lead Over Japan

NARITA, Japan — Tina Barrett and Cindy McCurdy led the way Friday as the U.S. LPGA team defeated its Japanese counterpart, 4-2, on the first day of the Nichirei International golf tournament.

Barrett and McCurdy beat Fuki Kido and Junko Yasui, 66-70, in the best-ball stroke format at Sosei Country Club.

Nancy Scranton and Rachel Hetherington beat Ku Ok-Hee and Yuri Fudo, 67-68, and Rosie Jones and Sherri Steinhauer defeated Japanese team captain Fumiko Muraguchi and Hiromi Kobayashi, 67-69.

U.S. captain Lorie Kane and Janice Moodie tied Han Hee-won and Midori Yoneyama, 68-68. Laura Davies and Mardi Lunn tied Aki Nakano and Kaori Higo, 67-67.

Japan’s only victory came from Akiko Fukushima and Aki Takamura against Liselotte Neumann and Mi-Hyun Kim, 64-67.

The teams play again today under the same format, then meet Sunday in individual stroke play.