Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009

MIYAZAKI (Kyodo) Overnight leader Kenichi Kuboya shot a 70 Friday and was joined at the top of the leaderboard by Tetsuji Hiratsuka and Yudai Maeda after the second round of the Dunlop Phoenix Tournament.

Kuboya, who had a three-shot lead after Thursday's 65, mixed three birdies with as many bogeys on the front nine before finishing his round with a birdie on the 18th to reach 7-under 135 at the par-71 Phoenix Country Club.

The 37-year-old Kuboya is seeking his first title since winning the Munsingwear Open KSB Cup in May 2002.

Hiratsuka shot a 66 while Maeda enjoyed a birdie-laden outward journey en route to a 65.

Italian Edoardo Molinari (66) and Japan Open winner Ryuichi Oda (68) were another shot back tied for fourth while Shingo Katayama had a 70 and was tied at 4-under.

Ryo Ishikawa shot a 70 that featured four birdies, a bogey and a double bogey and shared 20th on 1-under 141.

The 18-year-old Ishikawa leads Yuta Ikeda by just under ¥5.5 million at the top of the money list with three events of the season remaining.

Ikeda, who hinted last week that he may have to miss the rest of the season because of a sore right wrist, carded a 1-over 72 and was tied for 56th at 4-over.

MITOYO , Kagawa Pref. (Kyodo) Australian Nikki Campbell shot a 6-under 66 to share the lead with Yukari Baba after the first round of the Elleair Ladies Open on Friday.

Campbell, who claimed her second title in Japan at the Fujitsu Ladies last month, bogeyed the fourth hole before rolling in seven birdies over her final nine holes at Elleair Golf Club.

Baba enjoyed a bogey-free round with six birdies on the back nine.

U.S. LPGA player Momoko Ueda sat in a five-way tie for third a shot behind, while money rankings leader Shinobu Moromizato shared eighth another stroke back.

Defending champion Sakura Yokomine opened with a 74 to tie for 58th.

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