Shingo Katayama carded eight birdies to match Naomichi Ozaki with the day's low of 6-under-par 64 and take sole possession of the lead with a three-stroke advantage midway into the Chunichi Crowns on Friday.
Katayama, who is gunning for his first money title since 2000 after having to settle for second, third and fourth in the past three seasons, sank three straight birdies from No. 15 at Nagoya Golf Club and capped his round with his second bogey of the day for an 11-under 129.