Nasa Hataoka Holds One-Stroke Lead After Second Round of Toto Japan Classic

Nasa Hataoka carded an 8-under 64 on Friday to take a one-shot lead at the Toto Japan Classic with a 36-hole total of 132.

Defending champion Nasa Hataoka fired an 8-under 64 on Friday to take a one-stroke lead at the LPGA Tour’s Toto Japan Classic. Playing at the Taiheiyo Club Minori Course, Hataoka recorded a back-nine score of 30, which featured an eagle on the par-5 17th hole. Her two-round total stands at 12-under 132.

Miyu Yamashita sits in second place after shooting a 67. Yamashita, coming off a victory at the Maybank Championship, was one shot behind the lead after a bogey on the 18th hole following a pulled tee shot. Ana Belac and Fuka Suga are tied for third at 10-under par, two strokes off the pace, following rounds of 65 and 67 respectively.

Hataoka, who has five top-10 finishes this season, won this event last year in a rain-shortened playoff. The tournament serves as the conclusion of the LPGA’s four-event late-season Asian swing, which previously saw Ruoning Yin win in Shanghai and Yuri Yoshida earn her first tour victory at the Pine Beach Golf Links in South Korea.