Miyu Yamashita started and finished with short birdie putts and was flawless in between as she posted a 7-under 65 on Friday to build a three-shot lead over Rio Takeda going into the weekend of the AIG Women's Open.

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 a Women's British Open that featured a Japanese surge and a mixed day for Lottie Woad.

Rio Takeda and Eri Okayama shared the lead at 5-under par after the first round of the Women's British Open on Thursday as Japanese players dominated the leaderboard at Royal Porthcawl. World No. 12 Takeda and 139th-ranked Okayama struck matching 67s on the Welsh coast as compatriot Miyu Yamashita finished one shot adrift.