MITOYO, Kagawa Pref. – Chie Arimura matched a Japan LPGA record with a 10-under 62 to take a four-shot lead after the second round of the Elleair Ladies Open on Saturday.
Arimura, who began the day one shot off the lead, made six birdies on the front nine and picked up four more shots after the turn to reach 15-under 129 at Elleair Golf Club.
Arimura, fourth on the Japan LPGA money list with four wins this season, tied the tour record for the lowest score on a par-72 course.
South Korean Ku Oku Hee set the record at the 2003 Daikin Orchid Ladies and was matched by Akane Iijima at the Kosaido Ladies Golf Cup last year.
Harukyo Nomura, a 16-year-old amateur from South Korea, shot a 66 to sit alone in second. Toshimi Kimura also carded a 66 and was another stroke back in third.
Joint overnight leader Nikki Campbell of Australia (70) dropped to fourth at 8 under.
Money rankings leader Shinobu Moromizato (71) tied for 18th at 5 under. Defending champion Sakura Yokomine (70), second on the money list, barely made the cut and shared 48th at even par.
Molinari at top
MIYAZAKI (Kyodo) Edoardo Molinari of Italy shot a 2-under 69 Saturday to take a one-shot lead into the final round of the Dunlop Phoenix Tournament.
The 2009 European Challenge Tour money leader had four birdies and two bogeys to reach 8-under 205 at Phoenix Country Club.
Robert Karlsson of Sweden matched the day’s best round with a 68 to share second with overnight coleader Kenichi Kuboya, who shot a 71.
Katsumasa Miyamoto (69) and South Korean Kim Kyung Tae (69) were among five players sitting three shots off the lead in fourth.
In the race for the JGTO money title, 18-year-old leader Ryo Ishikawa carded a 71 to share 20th with Vijay Singh (70) and nine others at 1 under, while second-ranked Yuta Ikeda was in a tie for 56th at 6 over after a 73.
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