Miyu Yamashita rides stellar 65 into Women’s Open lead

PORTHCAWL: Miyu Yamashita of Japan shot the round of the week so far, a 7-under-par 65, to jump out to a three-stroke lead at the AIG Women’s Open on Friday in Porthcawl, Wales.

Yamashita held third place after the first round at Royal Porthcawl and took control Friday with a bogey-free, seven-birdie round. She hit 13 of 14 fairways in regulation and had four of her birdies in a five-hole stretch from Nos. 9-13.

“Today was good overall, and my tee shots were very consistent, so I was able to hit from the fairway,” Yamashita said. “I played really consistent golf today.”

Yamashita is halfway home at 11-under 133, and her closest pursuer is countrywoman Rio Takeda — one of the first-round co-leaders — whose 69 brought her to 8 under par for the week. After them, no player is better than 4 under.

The four-way tie at 4 under features Lindy Duncan (70 Friday), Germany’s Laura Fuenfstueck (71), Pajaree Anannarukarn of Thailand (69) and Chiara Tamburlini of Switzerland (69).

None of the top six players on the leaderboard have won a major, so the door appears wide open for Yamashita, a 23-year-old whose 13 professional wins have come on the Japanese tour.

“I haven’t particularly worried about expected scores until now,” Yamashita said of the tournament to date. “I’m always thinking about competing for a high ranking in each tournament, and I just played with my day in mind. So I’m glad that my score and ranking worked out.”

Takeda, a two-time LPGA Tour winner, eagled the par-5 ninth hole Friday after making a double bogey there Thursday.

“My shots were a little crooked today, but I was playing, hoping I could correct that early,” Takeda said. “The eagle putt was close, so I’m glad I was able to get an eagle. I was able