Tour veteran Yuka Irie put herself in position to win her first title in seven years after shooting a 5-under 67 to take the lead after two rounds of the Elleair Ladies Open on Saturday.
Irie leapfrogged 10 players to build a one-stroke lead over South Korea's Ko Woo Soon on 7-under 137 at Elleair Golf Club in Matsuyama, while Ai Miyazato moved into a three-way tie for third, two strokes off the pace going into the final round.
Miyazato has to win this tournament in order to move past current money leader Yuri Fudo, who leads Miyazato by 11.18 million yen.
Fudo can secure her sixth straight money crown by finishing fifth or better on Sunday.
She had a 68 in the second round and climbed into a tie for 19th at 1-under 143.