GOTEMBA, Shizuoka Pref. (Kyodo) Britain's Darren Clarke holed a pair of eagles on the way to a 7-under-par 65 to open up a two-shot lead at the midway point of the Mitsui-Sumitomo Visa Taiheiyo Masters on Friday.

The Ryder Cup star from Northern Ireland also made three birdies in a bogey-free round at Taiheiyo Club to keep his first-round lead ahead of the Japan tour's money rankings leader Shingo Katayama on 13-under 131.

Katayama also fired a 65, while Taiwan's Yeh Wei-tze was another two shots back after a 68.

Joint overnight leader Ryoken Kawagishi had a 70 and dropped into a share of fourth on 136 with Nozomi Kawahara while Britain's Lee Westwood and Kiyoshi Miyazato, brother of Japan LPGA sensation Ai, were among a group of seven golfers sharing sixth on 137.