Miyu Yamashita took advantage of a comfortable pairing with compatriot Rio Takeda and calmer conditions to shoot a sparkling 7-under 65 and vault to a three-stroke lead at Royal Porthcawl. Takeda, a rookie who has already won twice on the LPGA, sits in solo second, three shots back.

Rio Takeda overcame a double bogey at the turn with four birdies over her final seven holes Thursday for a 5-under 67 to share the lead with Eri Okayama in an AIG Women’s Open that featured a Japanese surge and a mixed day for Lottie Woad.

After 18 holes, things are starting to take shape but the pressure is on those battling to make the 36-hole cut.