Katsunori Kuwabara equaled the day's low of 8-under par 64 on Friday to open up a two-stroke advantage over first-round leader Masashi "Jumbo" Ozaki at the midway point of the Mandom Lucido Yomiuri Open.
Teeing off among a group of six golfers one stroke back, Kuwabara moved took sole possession of the lead after making an eagle, seven birdies and a bogey at Yomiuri Country Club for a 36-hole total of 13-under 131.
Ozaki, 57, who was in a four-way share of the overnight lead after a 66, stayed in the hunt for his 95th title on the Japanese GTO tour after carding a 67 for second place alongside Toru Suzuki, who shot a 66.