What a sensation: Defending champion Nasa Hataoka takes control at the Toto Japan Classic and delivers an amazing round that catapults her to the top of the leaderboard. With an incredible 8-under 64 on Friday, she underlines her ambitions to lift the trophy again and truly shake up the field.
Her total score of 12-under 132 after 36 holes at the Taiheiyo Club Minori Course in Omitama, Japan, is absolutely insane. On the back nine alone, the Japanese player shot a 30 and crowned her performance with an eagle on the par-5 16th hole. This has given her a one-stroke lead over the competition.
Japanese Duel Intensifies
However, the chasers are really on their game and are not making it easy for Hataoka. Miyu Yamashita, who only last week won the Maybank Championship, is in second place after a 67. Only a wayward tee shot on the 18th resulted in a bogey for her. Two strokes behind Hataoka, Ana Belac (65) and Fuka Suga (67) share third place – it's still anyone's game.
The Jackpot Awaits
Hataoka, who won the shortened tournament last year in a playoff and has already secured five top-10 finishes this season, knows the course like the back of her hand – she practically grew up here. The finale of the LPGA Asia Swing promises high excitement. A hefty total prize purse of 2.1 million dollars is on the line, with the winner taking home 315,000 dollars. The weekend on the green will be a true spectacle!
