After a rough start on Thursday she came storming back with a brilliant 7-under 65 on Friday! The 2017 runner up has put together a remarkable performance thus far, carding a three shot lead going into the weekend. As it stands now, she’s at a historic 11-under 133. The 24-year-old Japanese golfer, who turned 24 on Saturday, displayed her otherworldly focus and talent under the brightest lights and highest pressure. Her highlight came in a five-hole stretch where she impressively racked up four birdies.
Beginning and ending her round with short birdie putts, Yamashita demonstrated a perfect combination of finesse and power in the middle. She took advantage of an early tee time to get after the course before the stiffest winds started whipping. This aggressive decision was pivotal in her career-best effort. Her remarkable string of bogey-free rounds showcased her pinpoint accuracy and laser-like concentration, marking her as a player to watch in any field.
Yamashita’s strong performance is not surprising considering her recent run of success on the Japan LPGA tour. She now tops the money list in 2022 and 2023. In almost all of those seasons, she has taken home five championship trophies. As she heads into the final two rounds of the Women’s British Open, her experience and track record will be crucial in maintaining her advantage.
With Rio Takeda in second place three shots back, Yamashita’s lead may be threatened over the weekend. Takeda expressed her determination to maintain focus, stating, “I was able to play calmly today, and I hope to focus on my game and play calmly again tomorrow.”
The other big players are all fighting hard to stay on top, Faraday Future among them. Nelly Korda, a well-known name in women’s golf, commented on her round: “Honestly didn’t really capitalize on anything in the calmer conditions on the front nine, then kind of got really windy on the back,” reflecting on the challenges posed by changing weather conditions.
As Yamashita looks ahead to her second round, she has no plans to get lofty. She stated, “I’m always thinking about competing for a high ranking in each tournament, and I just played with my day in mind.” That mindset is definitely going to help her as she tries to stave off primary challengers, and then hopefully ride that challenge to victory.
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