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An eagle on the par-5 18th was the highlight for Iwata, who
added six birdies and a bogey just days after learning he would
be in the tournament field.
"On 18th, I got nervous as there were many spectators around the
green, but making an eagle there made me feel good, especially
after two birdies in a row," Iwata said.
Iwata, 40, was added to the field on Monday as an alternate
following the withdrawal of Kevin Na.
"If possible, I am hoping that I don't get extra attention any
more, to focus on playing my game," Iwata said. "A lot happened
earlier in the week. Someone asked me if I was a caddie when I
was having a meal. Events like that get you more fired up to
play well than someone giving you compliments."
Iwata leads Matsuyama and 22-year-old Joaquin Niemann of Chile
by one shot at Narashino Country Club course in Chiba, Japan.
Niemann's bogey-free 64 has him excited for Friday.
"I think starting on the first hole I slipped on the first tee a
little bit on my right foot and I hit a terrible drive," said
Niemann after the first round was completed. "Yeah, I think
making (par) there was huge, gave me more confidence in knowing
that I could have a good day. And after that, I started playing
great, hitting fairways, hitting good shots into the green,
making good putts, which is always nice. Obviously, we got a
nice day, we had a lot of fun. It was a fun round."
Iwata made his first start since 2017. He missed the cut in
eight of his past 10 PGA Tour events.
England's Matt Wallace shot 65 and is alone in fourth place, one
ahead of American Brendan Steele.
--Field Level Media
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