Riding high after last week's triumph at the ANA Open, Lin Keng-chi of Taiwan held onto his share of the overnight lead by carding a solid 4-under-par 68 in the second round of the Mitsui Sumitomo VISA Taiheiyo Masters on Friday.
Lin, gunning for his third victory of the season, sunk six birdies, including three straight from the fourth hole of the Taiheiyo Club's Gotemba Course, against a double bogey to share the lead with veteran Tsukasa Watanabe at a 36-hole total of 12-under 132.
"My shots were absolutely horrendous today. But I had very little problem with my putting, except for when I three-putted for bogey on the 17th," Lin said, adding that he is not going let last week's victory go to his head.
Watanabe had a 67, joining Lin one shot ahead of a quintet of golfers, including Toshimitsu Izawa and Masashi "Jumbo" Ozaki.
Lee leaps into lead
TOMIYA, Miyagi Pref. (Kyodo) South Korean veteran Lee O Soon shot a 4-under-par 68 Friday to take a one-stroke lead after the first round of the Miyagi TV Cup Dunlop Ladies Open golf tournament.
Toshimi Kimura was one shot off the pace after a 69. Hiromi Kobayashi shot a 76.