Shaun Norris started off his fight for the Japan Golf Tour Order of Merit with a solid 66 at the Golf Nippon Series JT Cup.

With two runner-up finishes in his last three events, the South African is looking to usurp Shugo Imahira at the top of the standings.

Into his fourth year on the tour, the ever popular golfer is battling for the top spot for the second year in a row.

The pair played together on Thursday with Norris finishing second for the day after his bogey-free exploits. He is one ahead of his rival, who carded a single bogey in round one.

If Imahira defends his Order of Merit title, he will become the fifth player to do so following Isao Aoki, Jumbo Ozaki, Tommy Nakajima, and Shingo Katayama. He will add another record as the youngest to do so, beating Ozaki by eight months.

‘I don’t really think I am expected to defend the yitle. I would rather win multiple events then just defend the Order of Merit title. My goal for this season was three victories, so I want to end this season by claiming that third victory this week.’