Hataoka surges ahead

OMITAMA, Japan — Defending champion Nasa Hataoka fired an 8-under-par 64, highlighted by an eagle on the par-5 17th, to seize a one-stroke lead after Friday’s second round of the LPGA Tour’s Toto Japan Classic.

Hataoka carded a 12-under 132 total at the Taiheiyo Club Minori Course, where she rallied with a 30 on the back nine to move ahead of the field.

Miyu Yamashita, fresh from her victory at last week’s Maybank Championship in Malaysia, settled for a 67 after dropping her only shot of the day on the 18th. She stood alone in second place at 11-under.

Ana Belac of Slovenia and Fuka Suga shared third place at 10-under. Belac, who became the first Slovenian to play on the LPGA Tour in 2021, shot a 65, while Suga carded a 67.

Hataoka, who has recorded five top-10 finishes this season, grew up near the course northeast of Tokyo.

“I don’t have a chance to play in front of so many Japanese fans, so I was really happy to be playing so well today,” Hataoka said through an interpreter.

The Japan Classic is the final stop of the LPGA Tour’s four-event late-season Asian swing.

Ruoning Yin opened the swing with a one-stroke victory at the LPGA Shanghai on 18 October, while Yuri Yoshida claimed her maiden LPGA Tour title a week later at Pine Beach Golf Links in South Korea.