Laura Davies of Britain shot a five-under-par 67 to share the Mizuno Classic golf lead with Japan’s Ai Suzuki and South Korean Ilhee Lee after Saturday’s second round.
The 51-year-old Davies offset two bogeys with seven birdies at the Kintetsu Kashikojima course for a nine-under 135 total. The English player won the most recent of her 20 LPGA Tour titles in 2001.
Suzuki finished with four straight birdies to record the day’s lowest score of 64 while Lee shot a bogey-free 66.
Japan’s Kotono Kozuma fired a 67 and was one stroke back with South Koreans Mi Hyang Lee (67) and Chella Choi (68).
Second-ranked Stacy Lewis, the 2012 winner, shot 72 and was tied for 27th while defending champion Teresa Lu of Taiwan (67) was five strokes back.
Lee Na Ri of South Korea had eight birdies against a lone bogey for a 65 to be two strokes back.
Australia’s Karrie Webb remains in contention – three shots off the lead – after a round of 68 and is tied eighth at six-under with American Jessica Korda (67) and Japan’s Ayako Uehara (68).
Overnight leader Morgan Pressel of the United States had an even-par 72 to fall into a tie for 11th.