DP World Tour: Yannik Paul among leaders as darkness halts play in Japan

The 30-year-old came close to a Ryder Cup debut last season as he recorded seven top 10s to add to his win in 2022 but narrowly missed out, finishing fourth on the European points list.

He secured his third top 10 finish of 2024 last time out at the Hero Indian Open and brought that form to Japan, carding his lowest round since January with a 65 that left him at five under in the clubhouse alongside local favourites Tomoyo Ikemura, Taisei Shimizu and Taiki Yoshida.

Japan's Taiga Nagano was also at five under with seven holes remaining, with some players left with as many as 10 holes to play in round one after a near three-hour fog delay.

Scot Connor Syme was a shot off the lead after finishing his round on his first start since securing a third consecutive top 10 at the Jonsson Workwear Open on March 10.

"Delighted," he said after starting on the 10th and making four birdies in a row from the 18th in a bogey-free 66. "I've not played in six weeks, tournament-wise anyway, so it was nice to come back.

"I don't think I had a bogey today which was really pleasing so it's a nice way to start back."