TOYOURA, Niigata Pref. (Kyodo) South Korea's Kim Jong Duk climbed his way to the top of the leaderboard at 11-under-par 131 after two rounds of the NST Niigata Open on Friday.
Kim carded four birdies at Forest Golf Club, in a bogey-free round of 4-under 67, that gave him a one-shot lead over Kazuhiro Kinjo.
Kinjo equaled the day's low of 64 in a round that featured eight birdies and one bogey.
Kawahara starts well
BIBAI, Hokkaido (Kyodo) Little-known Yui Kawahara carded four birdies and three bogeys in an opening-round 1-under-par 72 to take sole possession of the lead at the Golf 5 Ladies on Friday.
A group of six players, including Shiho Oyama, was tied for second a further shot behind the leader.
Yuri Fudo is three shots off the pace in her bid for a 30th career victory, which will earn her a lifetime exemption on the Japan LPGA tour.