Paula Reto carded her second successive three-under-par 69 on Friday as she climbed into a share of eighth at the halfway mark of the LPGA Tour’s TOTO Japan Classic at Seta Golf Course in Otsu, Shiga, Japan.

Once again, it was a ropey back nine which stopped her form doing even better, as she made three bogeys on her way home, with two birdies keeping the damage to an acceptable level. And, once again, just as in the first round, it was an early eagle which set her up for her round.

She made an eagle three on her very first hole, and then picked up two more birdies on her way to the turn. In the end, her halfway total of six-under-par left her five strokes off the lead.

Japanese golfer Nasa Hataoka and Jiyai Shin of South Korea sat atop the leaderboard after the second round. Hataoka shot a four-under 68 and Shin was in with a 67 for two-round totals of 11-under 133. Miyu Yamashita of Japan, who shared the lead with Hataoka after the first round, was a stroke back of the leaders after a 69.

Three more Japanese golfers were only two strokes off the lead: Sayaka Takahashi (67), Ai Suzuki (67) and Shuri Sakuma (66). Defending champion Rio Takeda of Japan was nine shots behind after a second-round 69.