NISHIGO, Fukushima Pref. (Kyodo) Mitsuko Kawasaki surprised herself by shooting a 7-under-par 65 in a rain-hit round Saturday to take a two-stroke advantage to the final round of the Resort Trust Ladies.
Kawasaki, whose only Japan LPGA victory came at the Belluna Ladies Cup last July, put together seven birdies at Grandee Nasu Shirakawa Gold Club en route to an 11-under total of 133.
The 28-year-old started on the 10th tee and birdied three of her first five holes before a thunderstorm halted play.
South Korean tour rookie Lee Eun Hye surged into second place on an 8-under 136 after matching Kawasaki with a bogey-free 65 that featured an eagle on the par-4 14th and five birdies.
Ho stays two clear
SHIBATA, Miyagi Pref. (Kyodo) South Korea's S.K. Ho maintained his two-shot lead with yet another solid round Saturday while Toshimitsu Izawa charged into contention in the third round of the JCB Classic Sendai tournament.
Ho made five birdies without dropping a shot in a round of 66 on the par-71 Omote Zao Kokusai Golf Club course, moving to 17-under 196 after three rounds of the 100 million yen event in Miyagi Prefecture.