MANILA, Philippines — Filipino-Japanese ace Yuka Saso capped her second-round outing with an eagle and a birdie to submit a two-under 70 and jump to joint 16th in the Toto Japan Classic yesterday in Shiga Prefecture.
Saso struggled with three bogeys against two birdies in the first 10 holes but eagled the par-5 No. 13 and gained a shot on No. 16 to finish strong and go three-under 141 for the tournament.
The 20-year-old Saso, who entered the day tied for 24th after an opening 71, stood seven strokes off solo leader Sakura Koiwai and just one behind the bunch sharing ninth spot.
Koiwai followed up her first-round 65 with a 69, offsetting two frontside bogeys with five birdies in the back, to stay ahead of the pack at 10-under 134.
Ayaka Furue trailed Koiwai by a shot at 135 after vaulting two places to No. 2 with a 67.
Third-running Sayaka Takahashi (67) was a stroke further at 136 followed by Momoko Ueda (69) at 137. Mone Inami (67), Ai Suzuki (70), Nana Suganuma (70) and Sumika Nakasone (71) shared fifth at 138.