While the Japanese claim the top six TOTO Japan Classic spots in the top 7 – it's one of them, Momoko Ueda, who leads with a score of -10 (134). She is one length ahead of her compatriots Miyu Yamashita and Ai Suzuki, leaders in the first round. Pauline Roussin-Bouchard lost eight places this Friday to Shiga while remaining in par (72). The Frenchwoman is currently in 38th place with a score of -1 (143).

TOTO Japan Classic Round 2: Momoko Ueda at the controls

Ai Suzuki – ©Source: Twitter LPGA

This 2022 edition of TOTO Japan Classic, the first since 2019, is more than ever a Japan-Japan relationship. Six of the top seven finishers after 36 holes are actually local golfers. Co-leader the day before with Ai Suzuki, Momoko Ueda took the advantage alone thanks to a card of 69 (-3) and above all three successful birdies on her last six holes.

TOTO Japan Classic Round 2: Momoko Ueda at the

Pauline Roussin-Bouchard in the 2nd round of the TOTO Japan Classic – ©Nathalie Janson

Victorious in 2007 and 2011 of this tournament endowed with two million dollars in prizes, Ueda, 16 times winner of the JLPGA which co-organizes the event with the LPGA Tour, has a point lead. Surpassing his compatriots Miyu Yamashita (68 today) and Ai Suzuki by one point. The second player, 17 times Japanese champion in professional tournament, could not do better than 70 (-2).

Minjee Lee, 5th in the world, is one place behind, in par, in 46th place.

It looks more like a national “open” for the moment, to find a “foreign” golfer in the land of the rising sun, you would have to go down to 5th place at -7. The 26-year-old South Korean, Jeongeun Lee6, winner of the 2019 US Open and second in the 2021 Evian Championship, is positioning herself for the weekend. Like brand new world No. 1 Atthaya Thitikul.

TOTO Japan Classic Round 2: Momoko Ueda at the controls

To view the full leaderboard: click here

To read our last article on the 1st round of the TOTO Japan Classic:

TOTO Japan Classic: eight Japanese in front, Roussin Bouchard 30th