Taichi Teshima made six birdies on the way to a 5-under-par 65 to claim sole possession of the lead at the midway point of the season-ending Nippon Series JT Cup on Friday.
Teshima, who was among the four golfers sharing the overnight lead, had a bogey-free front nine and made the turn at 33 after birdie putts on the third and sixth holes at Tokyo Yomiuri Country Club.
The 35-year old suffered his only bogey of the day on the 432-yard par-4 10th but quickly regrouped to drain four birdies through his last seven holes and establish a one-stroke lead over overnight co-leader David Smail of New Zealand and Toshimitsu Izawa on 9-under 131.
Smail had a blemish-free 66 while Izawa remained on course for this season's overall money title, equaling Teshima's 65.