It was not a flawless round, but Yuka Saso will take it.
The current LPGA of Japan top player bucked mishaps to remain on the summit halfway through the 2020 Daio Paper Elleair Ladies Open, Friday afternoon at the Elleair Golf Course Matsuyama, Ehime.
Saso registered two birdies in the second and fourth holes to open her day, but had to tackle the fifth with an extra shot. She thus ended the front nine at 1-under 34.
With birdies across the first four holes of the back nine the previous day, the 19-year-old has looked to duplicate the feat to pull away.
Nonetheless, Saso just managed to take one on the 11th hole. It was, however, enough to put her at the solo lead with seven holes left.
Yuna Nishimura then forced a deadlock at the top after a birdie at the 15th.
A consequent bogey in the following hole for both Saso and the Japanese ended their round just on top by a solitary hit over the closest pursuers. The tournament rookie and Nishimura closed the day at 7-under 135.
There are two more rounds left in Ehime which takes place this weekend.
