Okamoto Finds Relief for Aching Back and Shoots 67 to Take 3-Stroke Lead

MIAMI — Ayako Okamoto, free from back pain for a change, rebounded from a bogey on the first hole Friday by making six birdies for a five-under-par 67 and a three-shot lead midway through the $200,000 Elizabeth Arden golf tournament.

The Japanese star’s bogey came when her second shot landed in a sand trap. It took her three more shots to get into the cup.

But then she steadied with birdie putts of 15 and 25 feet on the front nine and four more birdies on the back side, leaving her at 136 after two rounds.

Beth Daniel was in second place after firing a 69 for a 139 total.

Another shot back were first-round leader Debbie Massey after a 72, Hollis Stacy (68), Muffin Spencer-Devlin (71) and Anne-Marie Palli (69).

Okamoto’s aching back forced her off the LPGA Tour last July. She returned last week, finishing 16th while playing with three self-administered acupuncture needles in her back and one behind her right knee.

She said her back felt better after last week’s tournament, so she took the tiny needles out.

Okamoto said she received permission to play this year from doctors at Miami’s Jackson Memorial Hospital only a month ago. She also said the doctors told her to cut down on her practice time.

“I think it was a very good decision not to practice,” the former Japanese softball star said. “My back feels very good, but I didn’t try to swing very hard. I tried not to work too hard and just tried to enjoy the round.”