TSUKUBAMIRAI, Ibaraki Pref. (Kyodo) Defending champion Akiko Fukushima fired a 4-under-par 68 and took the clubhouse lead in the thunderstorm-hit second round of the World Ladies Championship Salonpas Cup on Friday.
Fukushima made five birdies against one bogey for her second straight 68 and moved one stroke ahead of South Korean Jeon Mi Jeong on 8-under 136 after only 54 players completed their rounds due to darkness at Ibaraki Golf Club's West Course.
World No. 4 Paula Creamer (68), South Korean Lee Ji Hee (71) and Shinobu Moromizato (70) were two shots back in a tie for third while Sakura Yokomine, who was in 34th after the first round, carded a 67 for a share of sixth on 4-under.
More than half of the field failed to complete their rounds and are scheduled to resume play on Saturday followed by the third round of the first major of the year.