Outsider Wakimoto keeps two-shot lead at LPGA Japan

Rank outsider Hana Wakimoto stayed two shots clear at the halfway stage of the LPGA Japan Classic on Friday as Thailand's Ariya Jutanugarn moved up to tied second on the leaderboard.

Japan's world number 236 Wakimoto carded a four-under-par 68 for 13-under overall at Seta Golf Course.

The 27-year-old, who equalled the 18-hole tournament scoring record with a 63 on the opening day, had one bogey and five birdies in her second round.

Wakimoto is making her tournament debut and has never won on the LPGA Tour.

Brilliant start for the leader, Hana Wakimoto 💪 pic.twitter.com/6bI7SL5Udo

— LPGA (@LPGA) October 31, 2024

She has had two top-10 finishes this year on the Japanese tour, which she joined in 2018.

Jutanugarn, a two-time major winner, was 11-under after two rounds along with American Yealimi Noh.

Jutanugarn shot a six-under 66 in a bogey-free round that featured six birdies.

South Korea's Ko Jin-young shot 70, leaving her in tied fifth at nine-under.

The former world No 1 and two-time major winner made three birdies but blotted her copybook with a bogey on the 17th hole.

Reigning US Open champion Yuka Saso improved to eight-under after carding 67.

Saso was tied with Japan's Ayaka Furue, who won the Evian Championship in July for her first major, and South Korea's Ryu Hae-ran.

Australia's Minjee Lee tumbled down the leaderboard to a share of 52nd after a 75.

Leading scores after second round (par 72, players JPN unless specified):

131 - Hana Wakimoto 63-68

133 - Ariya Jutanugarn (THA) 67-66, Yealimi Noh (USA) 68-65

134 - Rio Takeda 69-65

135 - Marina Alex (USA) 68-67, Saiki Fujita 69-66, Ko Jin-young (KOR) 65-70,

136 - Ayaka Furue 66-70, Chisato Iwai 68-68, Sakura Koiwai 69-67, Nanna Koerstz Madsen (DEN) 70-66, Hira Naveed (AUS) 70-66, Yuna Nishimura (JPN) 71-65, Ryu Hae-ran (KOR) 67-69, Yuka Saso 69-67, Karen Tsuruoka 69-67

137 - Yui Kawamoto 69-68, Kim Hyo-joo (KOR) 66-71, Lee Mi-hyang (KOR) (71-66) Hikaru Yoshimoto 69-68