Momoko Ueda fired a 3-under 69 to finish at 10-under and take the solo lead in the TOTO Japan Classic.
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“I was not in a good mood in the first five holes. During that time, Ai [Suzuki] and Sakura [Koiwai] made good putts and played well. So, I tried to catch up with them and not to think conservatively
“My tee shots and putts were not so good compared with yesterday and I was thinking during the round that it is going to be a tough day. In such a situation, I played well enough today.”
This is her fourth 36-hole lead on the LPGA Tour, with her first three recorded at the 2006, 2007 and 2011 TOTO Japan Classic, the last two leading to the only Tour victories of her career.
Her 134 total is her lowest 36-hole score on the LPGA Tour since she won the 2011 TOTO Japan Classic (131).
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Tied in second place at 9-under are her countrywomen and JLPGA competitors Miyu Yamashita and co-sanctioned defending champion Suzuki.
Yamashita has won three times this season on the JLPGA and is first on the JLPGA’s Money List and Mercedes Ranking. She went bogey-free for the second-consecutive day, netting birdies at the 7th, 10th, 13th and 16th to shoot a 68 on Friday.
She and Suzuki are two of only three players in the field without a bogey on the card through the first two days. Suzuki had a quieter Friday, ending her second round with a 70 after birdies at the 3rd and13th.on No. 3 and No. 13.
“I feel my shots were much better yesterday than today,” said Suzuki. “Hope today is the worst day of this week. I need 60s for the next 2 days.”
Koiwai lies in solo fourth at 8-under after carding a 70 followed by Saiki Fujita (66), Ayaka Furue (71) and the only non-Japanese player in the top-5, Jeongeun Lee6 (68).
“I am not comfortable with my swing currently. I am making an adjustment with my swing during the round. So, I am happy with my today’s score in such a situation,” said 2021 champion Furue.
