Minjee Lee in control in Japan
Minjee Lee takes a lead of three shots in the final round in Japan. Image: Getty
The Australian superstar Minjee Lee has a strong grip on the Toto Japan Classic of the LPGA Tour after a dazzling second round 64 today.
Lee, 22, from Perth, leads the three-round tournament with three shots and has a big chance to win her fifth LPGA Tour-tournament, and her second this season, if she closes tomorrow.
The 2016 Olympic and world number 5 had eight birdies and no bogeys in her almost impeccable round, with only 26 putts.
"I do not know, it looks like I've made several attempts this year and I think it's likely to come with confidence on the greens," Lee said. "Yes, I think I'm a little bit little improvement. "
Lee is 13-undersize, three for Japan Sakura Koiwai. The Japanese Jiyai Shin and the Japanese Nata Hataoka are a shot further with a round to play.
The Royal Fremantle member won the Volvik championship in May and has already earned more than $ US1.5 million in prize money, with 10 top-five finishes.
If she wins tomorrow, she crawls a bit closer to Ariya Jutanugarn from Thailand in the season-long competition, the Race to CME Globe.
Currently she is second behind Jutanugarn, who has won three tournaments. But the Australian is close enough to take the helm (and win the $ US 1 million bonus) if she plays well in the Florida touring championship later this month.