World No. 4 Yani Tseng of Taiwan shot a three-under 69 for a share of eighth place. Teresa Lu was joint 21st after a two-under 70, while Candie Kung’s one-under 71 left her tied with Ochoa.
Lang, who carded one eagle, five birdies and a bogey on the par-72 Kintetsu Kashikojima Country Club course, said she was elated to have a chance of a maiden tour win.
“I want to have rounds like this, where I don’t have many mistakes and I just keep putting myself in a position to win. It’s going to happen sooner or later, so I just have to try to play my best everyday,” Lang said.
Japan’s Momoko Ueda, the 2007 champion, was with a group of three other players tied for fourth on 68. Alongside her were Korean pair Song Bo-bae and Jeon Mi-jeong, and American Vicky Hurst. Defending champion and world No. 2 Shin Ji-yai of South Korea was tied for eighth place with Tseng and 12 other golfers on 69.
Ochoa said she was disappointed with the slow start to her round and a frustrating day in which her irons were off target.
“I didn’t make a birdie until the eighth hole. When you just have two birdies, that’s not enough,” Ochoa said.
ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY STAFF WRITER
RSS