MURE, Kagawa Pref. (Kyodo) Miho Koga equaled the day's low of 5-under-par 67 to take a one-shot lead after the second round of the Katokichi Queens on Saturday.
Koga stayed in contention for her first win of the season with six birdies and a bogey at Yashima Country Club to move one stroke clear of money rankings leader Michiko Hattori on 8-under 136.
Teeing off a shot back, Koga reeled off three birdies from the second hole before making her only bogey of the day on the par-4 fifth.
Maruyama closer
TOGO, Aichi Pref. (Kyodo) Unheralded Daisuke Maruyama edged toward a first career title when he shot a 2-under-par 68 on Saturday to establish a one-shot lead heading into the final round of the Chunichi Crowns.
Maruyama had three birdies and a bogey at Nagoya Golf Club's Wago Course for a three-day total of 9-under 201 while tour veteran Naomichi "Joe" Ozaki kept back-to-back titles in sight by climbing into second after a second straight 67.