(Photo credit score: Matt Krohn)
Aki Iwai carded a bogey-free 6-under 66 on Saturday to take a one-shot lead into the ultimate spherical of the Toto Japan Classic in Omitama.
Iwai moved to 15-under 201 with three birdies on the entrance 9 and three on the again on the Taiheiyo Club Minori Course north of Tokyo. The 24-year-old from Japan is searching for her second LPGA Tour title and first since profitable The Standard Portland Classic in August 2025.
‘So many spectators right here and I’m so glad as a result of … they at all times present me a lot love on a regular basis. And then I obtained confidence. That’s why I’m glad,’ Iwai stated.
Right on her heels is Thailand’s Arpichaya Yubol, who shot the low spherical of the day with a 65 to maneuver to 14-under. Yubol had one bogey and eight birdies, together with birdies at three of the 4 par-3 holes.
Yubol, 24, has her household within the gallery this week as she appears for her first LPGA Tour victory.
‘First factor first, I like Japan,’ Yubol stated. ‘Also my dad and mother and brother are right here, so I’d say complete household right here is type of particular week for me.’
Japan’s Erika Hara (68 on Saturday) and South Korea’s Youmin Hwang (68) are tied for third at 13-under.
Hwang, a 23-year-old LPGA Tour rookie, hit 16 of 18 greens in regulation and completed with six birdies and two bogeys.
‘Today the winds have been robust however I performed effectively so I’m comfortable,’ Hwang stated. ‘Sometimes within the closing spherical I tend to be timid so I need to play tomorrow aggressively and work on that.’
Second-round chief and defending champion Nasa Hataoka of Japan shot a 72 to slide right into a tie for fifth at 12-under with countrywomen Yuna Araki (66), Shuri Sakuma (69) and Sayaka Takahashi (69).
Hataoka endured an eventful end on Saturday with bogeys at Nos. 13, 15 and 18 and an eagle on the par-5 seventeenth.
She received final yr’s rain-shortened 54-hole event with a closing rating of 15-under after beating Araki in a playoff.
Six gamers are tied for ninth place at 10-under.
–Field Level Media