Organizers of the Hisamitsu-KBC Augusta reduced the tournament to 54 holes Saturday, suspending play in the third round due to poor weather related to Typhoon Rusa.

Veteran Nobumitsu Yuhara and Masashi Shimada held the joint lead at 7-under 137 at the end of the second day and will tee off in Sunday's final group one stroke ahead of the field.

Fudo stays on course

TERADOMARI, Niigata Pref. (Kyodo) Yuri Fudo, who tied the course record in the first round, opened up a four-stroke lead at the Yonex Ladies with another flawless display of her game Saturday.

Fudo has gone 36 holes without a bogey in shooting 64-69 at the Yonex Country Club as she remains on course to win her third title of the year and solidify her position on top of the Japan LPGA tour's money list.

The chasing pack at 7-under 133 includes Michiko Hattori, the 1998 money-title winner who shot a 69. Veteran Ikuyo Shiotani (70) and Kaori Higo (71) are also in a tie for second.