Laura Davies of Britain shot a 5-under 67 to share the Mizuno Classic lead with Ai Suzuki of Japan and Ilhee Lee of South Korea after yesterday’s second round at the Kintetsu Kashikojima Country Club in the city of Shima in Mie Prefecture.
The 51-year-old Davies offset two bogeys with seven birdies at the Kintetsu Kashikojima course for a 9-under 135 total. The English player won the most recent of her 20 LPGA Tour titles in 2001.
“I’ve been playing well, but my results have been horrendous,” Davies said. “If you don’t hole putts, you can’t compete out here anymore. It’s not like it’s a shock to me, but it’s a nice surprise.”
Davies can become the oldest winner in LPGA history at the age of 51 if she can close out the tournament for the 21st LPGA victory of her career.
“Obviously, it’s a bad thing, really, because it means I’m really old,” Davies said of the possibility of being the oldest winner. “But it would be a nice thing too because it would mean I have a good record.”
Suzuki finished with four straight birdies to record the day’s lowest score of 64, while Lee shot a bogey-free 66.
Suzuki became the youngest winner of the Japan LPGA Championship in September at age 20 and is competing in her first LPGA event.
“I won’t be thinking about the win,” Suzuki said. “I’ll just try my best and see how I can do in an LPGA tournament.”
Japan’s Kotono Kozuma fired a 67 and was one stroke back with South Koreans Lee Mi-hyang (67) and Chella Choi (68).
Second-ranked Stacy Lewis, the 2012 winner, shot 72 and was tied for 27th.
Overnight leader Morgan Pressel of the US had an even-par 72 to fall into a tie for 11th place.
Taiwan’s Teresa Lu was tied for 17th place. The defending champion finished the day on 4-under 140, after scoring six birdies and one bogey to card a 5-under 67.
Compatriot Yani Tseng fired a 70 to tie for 47th with a 144 total.
Phoebe Yao, also from Taiwan, hit a 69 to tie for 65th with a 146 total.
Last year, Lu became one of only two Taiwanese golfers to ever win the tournament and the first since 1986, when Tu Ai-yu won the title.
Additional reporting by CNA
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