A second-round 72 saw Leona Maguire slip back to ten shots off the lead at the TOTO Japan Classic.
The Cavan native had been three shots adrift of first-round leader Hana Wakimoto after Thursday's opening day.
But Friday proved a more challenging round with birdies on one, seven and 13 matched by bogeys on two, 11 and 17, leaving Maguire in a tie for 43rd on three-under in the no-cut event at Seta Golf Course..
Japan's Wakimoto, meanwhile, built on her bogey-free opening 63 with a four-under 68 to sit on 13-under, two shots clear of Thailand's Ariya Jutanugarn and USA's Yealimi Noh.
Japanese player Rio Takeda is one shot further back in fourth at 10 under after posting a 65, highlighted by an eagle at the par-5 13th hole..
"I feel comfortable with my tee shots on this course and I think my game is really fit to this course," said Wakimoto, who never lost the lead in the second round.
This is only Wakimoto's second career start in an LPGA Tour event. She missed the cut at the 2023 US Women's Open. She has been a member of the JLPGA Tour since 2018.
Noh matched the lowest round of the day with a seven-under 65 that featured four consecutive birdies at holes four to seven. She also chipped in for birdie at the par-414th hole and completed her round with only 20 putts.
"For me, last year, I was really struggling with my putting and I just needed something new and something completely different," Noh said.
"I never even thought of trying it but my coach and my dad suggested it to me and I tried it. It helped me get over that uneasy feeling over the ball. So, that's how it started and now using it a year after, my stroke has gotten really solid and my speed is great with the putter so it has helped me a lot."
This is the fourth and final stop on the LPGA Tour's four-event fall Asia swing. The 78-player field for the co-sponsored event includes 35 JLPGA members.
Additional reporting: Reuters
