Portthcawl, Wales Pays-Miyu Yamashita started and finished with short Birdie putts and was impeccable between the two when she displayed a 7-mine of 65 Friday to build a three-stroke advance on Rio Takeda before the Women’s Open British weekend.
The Japanese players, both among the first 15 in the ranking of the female world, played in the same group at Royal Porthcawl and presented a show in the second round, corresponding to the big shots and the big putts along the way that left the rest of the field far behind.
Takeda was the only player for less than seven Yamashita shots. Nelly Korda (72) and the English star Rising Lottie Woad (70) were among the first 10 in the ranking and were still nine shots behind halfway.
Woad was at the forefront of affirmations until a triple Bogey on the 16th 16.
“There was much more good than bad,” said Woad. “Played very well for 17 holes; just this hole cost me a little.”
Yamashita was without Bogey and did most of her damage with four birdies in a section of five holes around the turn when she took advantage of a start early before the arrival of a stronger wind.
“I did not make any particular adjustment to my swing, but the wind was strong, so I think that the shots are important, as well as the selection of clubs and the direction that I aim for the target,” said Yamashita. “So, things like that are important, so I played while keeping in mind the image that I practice so far.”
Takeda, whose two LPGA titles include Toto Japan Classic last year before being a member, was slowed down by a pair of Bogeys. Takeda has expired for this with a superb approach in the ninth by 5 which settled in the range of noise for Eagle. She pulled 69.
“I was able to play calmly today, and I hope to focus on my game and play calmly tomorrow,” said Takeda.
Yamashita, who celebrates her 24th birthday on Saturday, was 11-me from 133.
Chiara Tamburlini from Switzerland and Anannarukarn Pajaree from Thailand each fired on 69 and were tied in third place with 4-mine of 140, with the American Lindy Duncan (70).
The cup was announced at 2 against 146. Brooke Henderson of Canada was just on the cut line until a 4-foot putt on the 17th in the wind is missing, then by not sorting out on the closing hole by 5.
The Cup also missed the No. 4 of Yin (77), Rose Zhang (76) and the American women’s champion Maja Stark (78).
Yani Tseng de Taiwan, twice the women’s British open and former player No. 1 in the world, pulled 73 and cup in major for the first time in eight years. It was his first cup in an LPGA event since the LPGA Taiwan swing championship in 2018.
Korda remains player No. 1 of the women’s golf course despite not having won this year, and she is now faced with a deficit with a deficit of nine strokes for the last 36 holes.
“Honestly, I do not really capitalize on the quieter conditions on the first nine; then became really windy on the back,” said Korda. “Made a few more mistakes but bounced with a few sneakers. Overall, I will not complain even by peer.”
Woad did the best race for the Japanese duo until a swing and a mean lie cost him. She had a 3 wood for her second blow in a strong wind on the 16th par-4. He sailed to the right in the thick grass. His first piracy moved the golf ball only a few centimeters. She had to take a penalty shot for an unplayable lie, obtained it on green and two strokes for a triple Bogey.
She closed with two pars for a 70, a score that otherwise seems satisfactory.
“I would certainly take it now, but not when I was standing on the 16th tee,” said Woad with a smile. “Yeah, I just have to try to play well on weekends. It’s quite crowded, so I can go up a bit.”
Everyone continues Yamashita, who directed the LPGA Japan money list in 2022 and 2023 while winning five times in each of these seasons. She also finished a shot from a playoff series for the bronze medal at the Paris Olympic Games last year.
For the moment, she only thinks of keeping her rhythm in the wind.
“I have not been particularly worried about the expected scores so far. I still think of competing a high classification in each tournament, and I just played with my day,” said Yamashita. “So I’m glad my score and my classification worked.”
