Veteran pro Tsuneyuki Nakajima took a step toward his first title in six years after shooting a 6-under-par 66 Friday to take a one-shot lead on 9-under 135 at the halfway stage of the 110 million yen Bridgestone Open.
Shinichi Yokota kept the pressure up with a 66 and stands alone into second place at the Sodegaura Country Club course in Chiba Prefecture, ahead of a group of seven golfers in joint third, three shots off the lead at 6-under 138.
Rookie shares lead
YOKOSHIBA, Chiba Pref. (Kyodo) Tour rookie Hiroko Yamaguchi produced a flawless 3-under-par 69 Friday to grab a share of the lead after the first round of the 60 million yen Chaco Kibun Classic golf tournament.
Bidding for her second title in three weeks, Yamaguchi carded three birdies in a bogey-free journey over the Caledonian Golf Club's 6,184-yards, par-72 layout in Chiba Prefecture to reach the clubhouse tied with Yuri Kawanami.