RIFU, Miyagi Pref. – Chie Arimura fired a 7-under 65 Saturday to establish a one-shot lead over defending champion Momoko Ueda going into the final round of the Miyagi TV Cup Dunlop Ladies Open.
Arimura put herself in the frame for a fourth win of the season as she poured in eight birdies against one bogey at the 18th hole at Rifu Golf Club in Miyagi Prefecture to reach 9-under 135.
U.S. LPGA player Ueda, who shared the overnight lead with Taiwan’s Wei Yun-jye, mixed five birdies with two bogeys in a 69, while Sakura Yokomine (70), winner of last week’s Munsingwear Ladies Tokai Classic, and Yuki Ichinose (71) were four strokes further adrift.
Yuko Mitsuka carded a 70 and was in fifth on 141. Yayoi Arasaki (72), Mayumi Nakajima (72) and Hiromi Mogi (73) shared sixth at 2-under.
Money leader Shinobu Moromizato struggled to a 74 and was tied for 17th at 2-over alongside Wei, who had a disastrous round of 79.
Maruyama leads
JOYO , Kyoto Pref. (Kyodo) Former U.S. PGA player Daisuke Maruyama shot a 4-under 67 Saturday to push his lead to four strokes going into the final round of the Asia-Pacific Panasonic Open.
Seeking his first win since his maiden victory in the 2005 Fujisankei Classic, Maruyama had five birdies and a bogey to reach 11-under 202 at Joyo Country Club.
South Korea’s Kim Kyung Tae was alone in second after a 66.
Kim Hyung Sung, also of South Korea, and China’s Liang Wenchong sat a shot further back after rounds of 71 and 69, respectively.
Yusaku Miyazato, an elder brother of U.S. LPGA star Ai Miyazato, shot a 64 for the day’s low round and climbed into a three-way tie for fifth at 5-under.
Money leader Ryo Ishikawa carded a 69 that left him tied for 30th at 1-over.