Shingo Katayama and Nobuhito Sato, the Japanese tour's money leaders past and present, emerged as joint leaders midway through the Georgia Tokai Classic after helter-skelter rounds Friday.
Katayama, winner of the money title in 2000, had six birdies, three bogeys and a double bogey for a 71 while this year's earnings leader Sato had a 69 as both players moved to 5-under 139.
Kenichi Kuboya moved up the leaderboard with the day's low round of 66, moving into a tie for second at 4-under 140.
Kimura ties record low
NIISATO, Gunma Pref. (Kyodo) Toshimi Kimura equaled the course record with a 7-under-par 65 on Saturday and grabbed the lead after two rounds of the Sankyo Ladies Open.
Kimura, looking for her first win of the season, carded eight birdies and one bogey for a 9-under 135 and a two-shot advantage over Kasumi Fujii heading into Sunday's final round.