Mastery from Start to Finish
Yamashita opened her round with a concise birdie putt and closed it with another, filling the 18-hole scorecard with immaculate shot-making in between. Four birdies in a five-hole stretch around the turn proved decisive, as she capitalized on relatively calmer winds during her early tee time. “It wasn’t about changing my swing,” she explained. “It was more about club selection and visualizing each shot under windier conditions. I stuck to the process I’ve practiced.”
Takeda Keeps Pace, But Trails
Playing alongside the leader, Rio Takeda carded a solid 69 to stay the lone challenger within striking distance. Despite two bogeys, Takeda’s eagle opportunity on the par-5 ninth—setting up a tap-in—kept her in contention at 8 under. “I remained calm and focused today,” she said. “My goal is to carry this composure into the weekend.”
A Tight Chase Pack
Several players lurk further back, albeit nine strokes adrift of Yamashita’s 11-under total of 133. Switzerland’s Chiara Tamburlini and Thailand’s Pajaree Anannarukarn each shot 69 to sit at 4 under, joined by American Lindy Duncan (70). World No. 1 Nelly Korda, hampered by an even-par 72 in swirling winds, also finds herself nine shots off the pace.
Momentum Wavered by Costly Error
England’s promising Lottie Woad had been mounting a charge until a disastrous triple bogey on the 16th derailed her bid. Facing a strong headwind on the par-4, her second shot found thick rough, leading to an unplayable-lie penalty. “I played brilliantly for 17 holes, but that one swing cost me,” Woad lamented after signing for a 70.
The Cut Line and Weekend Prospects
With the halfway cut projected around 2-over-par 146, marquee names such as Brooke Henderson, Ruoning Yin, Rose Zhang, and reigning U.S. Women’s Open champion Maja Stark struggled to advance. As the field pares down, all eyes will be on Yamashita—who celebrates her 24th birthday on Saturday—to see if she can maintain her poise and extend her lead in pursuit of a maiden major title.