ON THE SIDELINES : Ishii Leads Japan Golf Tourney

Hawaiian David Ishii surprised himself and a star-studded field today with a 7-under-par 65 and a two-shot lead after the first round of the $1.54-million Dunlop Phoenix golf tournament.

Ishii carded eight birdies, including three in a row beginning with the fifth hole. His only bogey came on the long par-4 16th.

“I am really surprised. This is the most birdies I’ve shot in a round for a very long time,” Ishii said.

Jeff Sluman was tied for second with Japanese players Naomichi (Joe) Ozaki and Tsukasa Watanabe at 67.

Ken Green moved into a seven-way tie for fifth place at 68 after a round that included a hole in one, seven birdies, five pars and five bogeys.

Joining Green at 68 were Mike Donald, Craig Stadler and Scott Hoch and Japan’s Masashi (Jumbo) Ozaki, Yoshinori Kaneko and Hajime Meshiai.