MIYAZAKI (Kyodo) Kasumi Fujii shot a 3-under-par 69 to take a one-stroke lead over Japanese money rankings winner Yuri Fudo after the first two rounds of the season-ending Japan LPGA Tour Championship on Friday.
Fujii, who finished second behind Fudo on last season's money list, completed the remaining 14 holes of her first round with 73 after rain had suspended play on Thursday before an eagle, three birdies and two bogeys in her second round put her on top on 2-under 142.
Fudo, who clinched the overall money title for the fourth straight year at the Mizuno Classic earlier this month and is gunning for her 10th win of the season, recovered from a 3-over 75 to knock down four birdies in the day's best second-round score of 68.
South Korean Lee Ji Hee was tied with Fudo on 143.