An LPGA Update from Japan

Since this week's LPGA event, the Toto Japan Classic, isn't being carried by GC I thought I'd try and bring you up-to-date on what's been happening there. The second round isn't finished yet and I don't know if it will finish before I get this post ready, but I'll try to make it as current as I can.



As you may have heard, Jessica Korda, So Yeon Ryu, Azahara Munoz and Beatriz Recari were in Bali for the Lexus Cup early in the week and got stranded there when a volcanic eruption forced the airports to close. Officials at the Toto tried to help by giving Munoz and Recari -- who were also scheduled to play in Japan -- the last tee times on Friday, but they were forced to WD anyway.

After the first round of this 54-hole event, Angela Stanford and Ryann O'Toole (pictured above) held the lead at -7 while Stacy Lewis and Lexi Thompson were just two shots back. However, conditions are calm and second round scores are really low. Despite being -11 and -10 respectively after 14 holes (-4 and -3 on the day), Stanford and O'Toole are now chasing. Pornanong Phatlum sits at -12, having shot -7 in her first 16 holes. Lexi and Stacy are at -9 and -8 after 17 holes so they also have some work to do.

Sunday's round is supposed to see a bit more wind -- 9mph according to weather.com's prediction for Shima in the Mie Prefecture of Japan -- with a brief chance of rain. But with an expected temperature of 68°F (20°C) and 94% humidity, scoring conditions may be tougher -- something Stacy Lewis has been wishing for.

Although GC isn't carrying the event you can still check the updated leaderboard on lpga.com at this link. A lot of players are going REALLY low in the second round, so the potential for a real shootout on Sunday is definitely there.