Australian golfer Darren Beck sits just one stroke from leader Hiroyuki Fujita after the second round of the Asia-Pacific Panasonic Open in Tokyo on Friday.
Japanese veteran Fujita, a two-time winner on the Asian Tour, carded a three-under-par 68 to lead the way over Beck (65), reigning Asian Tour No.1 Juvic Pagunsan, who birdied the last three holes to sign for a 66, and Koumei Oda (69) of Japan.
India’s Shiv Kapur battled fatigue and jetlag for a 68 and was three shots off the pace followed by Asian Tour rookie David Lipsky (64) of the United States and Japanese prodigy Ryo Ishikawa (65), who were a further shot back.
Overnight leader Yuta Ikeda, who shot an opening-round 62, slipped back with a 76 for tied 24th place at the Higashi Hirono Golf Club.
With him were Jeev Milkha Singh of India and Thai duo Prayad Marksaeng and Chinnarat Phadungsil at the 150 million yen ($A1.84 million) event sanctioned by the Asian Tour and Japan Golf Tour.
“My putter went cold on the back nine and I couldn’t score,” Fujita told the Asian Tour after his birdie on the last hole saw him sitting top of the pile.
“It was quite disappointing but this is just the second day and we do not know how it will turn out in the end,” said Fujita, who won in Japan last week.
“The course set-up might get tougher in the last two days so I hope I can continue shooting in the 60s.
“Last week’s win has boosted my confidence but like I said, it is still early in the tournament and there are many good players behind me.”
The sweet-swinging Pagunsan got off with a bogey, birdie and bogey start but steadied ship with six further birdies including a missed eagle opportunity from 25 feet on the 18th hole.
“My approach shot landed on a slope (18th) and the ball could have rolled into the water but it went towards the green instead. I had a chance for eagle but settled for an easy birdie instead. I’ll take that,” he said.