KOBE (Kyodo) Shinobu Moromizato shot a 2-under-par 70 to join a logjam of five players in a share of the lead after the second round of the Suntory Ladies Open on Friday.
Moromizato made three birdies against one bogey to move atop a crowded leaderboard with Rikako Morita, China's Zhang Na, Australian Nikki Campbell and South Korean Jang Ha Na on 5-under 139 at Rokko Kokusai Golf Club.
U.S. LPGA regular Ai Miyazato, who got off to a bumpy start in a round of 75 a day earlier, carded a 70 to move into a share of 41st on 1-over along with Miho Koga and Yuri Fudo. Miyazato is making her second appearance this season in Japan.
Rui Kitada (68) and Maiko Wakabayashi (68) were a stroke off the pace in a quintet tied for sixth, while money rankings leader Sakura Yokomine had her second straight 71 and was tied for 15th on 2 under.