Lee’s round is a course-record at Koma Country Club, while Thailand’s Nitithorn Thippong returned a 63.

Thailand’s Tirawat Kaewsiribandit was also in rampant form carding a 64, while PGA Tour winner Si Woo Kim, Taeho Kim, Juvic Pagunsan, Yuki Furukawa, Seungsu Han and Todd Baek fired 65s.

It’s the first time the tournament, one of Korea’s most prestigious events have been played in Japan, and boasting a purse of KRW1,400,000,000 (approximately US$1,050,500) it is being tri-sanctioned by the Asian, Korean and Japan Tours.

Lee, aged 31, won this event in 2017 for one of two victories on the Asian Tour, and despite it being held in a different country he felt right at home from-the-get-go. Starting on the back nine he made four birdies and five on his second half.

“You got to hit fairways, the rough is up, and the greens are actually playing pretty fast, but I like fast greens. It was a bogey free round and I felt I took advantage of the par-5s pretty well today,” Lee said.

"I have not had any good results in Japan before, but I have always played well in the Shinhan Donghae Open ... I think I just like the atmosphere of this tournament and I think they run it very well.” - Richard T. Lee.

Lee is clearly coming into good form as he tied for second in the International Series Singapore last month. 

“To be honest I have not had any good results in Japan before, but I have always played well in the Shinhan Donghae Open, which has been kind of funny. I think I just like the atmosphere of this tournament and I think they run it very well.”

Nitithorn’s undeniable talent and growing reputation as a star of future was on display again. He is one of only two players to have tasted victory twice this year.

“I didn’t expect to shoot a score like that, but I drove the ball very good – which is key for the course as the next shot is not very far,” said the 25-year-old, who was in the first group out today at 6.50am local time.

“I am really happy, it’s awesome, the course is not that long. Every guy came here for a win, and I will certainly try my best to do that. Yes, I won in Singapore and India, but the past is the past, I want to focus on the present.”

Like Lee, he started on 10 and was bogey free and birdied five of the last seven holes on the back nine.

Defending champion Yoseop Seo came in with a 69 while current Asian Tour Order of Merit winner Bio Kim came in with a 71.

India’s Gaganjeet Bhullar, winner of this event in 2016, carded a 72.

Korean Taehoon Ok, who won the International Series Korea two weeks ago, was forced to withdraw because of a back injury.

It is the first time the prestigious tournament has been played on the Asian Tour in three years because of the pandemic.

Brad Kennedy is the best of the Aussies in a share of 10th at five-under with Travis Smyth a shot further back.