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Nakano Edges Ahead on Weather-Hit Day at Gotemba

Gotemba, Japan: Japan’s Rintaro Nakano claimed a late one-stroke lead at seven-under over China’s Ding Wenyi during the second round of the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship as the round was suspended due to darkness on Friday evening.

The second round was delayed by 6½ hours due to fog and heavy rain, including four inches overnight at Taiheiyo Club Gotemba.

Second-round play got underway at 1 pm local time with the morning wave of players facing damp conditions. Players in the afternoon wave did not tee off on Friday.

Nakano countered a bogey at the 14th with birdies at 13, 15 and 18 to turn at two-under on the day. After the turn, he added a birdie at the third, a hole he eagled on Thursday, to claim a one-stroke lead over Ding.

Ding, the highest-ranked player in the field at fifth in the World Amateur Golf Ranking, made the most of the soft conditions to notch up birdies at the 13th, 16th and 18th to move to six-under and one shot back of the lead with playing partner Nakano.

“I’m going to go bed earlier,” joked Nakano after the long weather delay. “I’m up early in the morning tomorrow, so recovery is important. Today was a long and difficult day waiting.”

First-round leader Randy Bintang from Indonesia remained at five-under and did not begin his second round on Friday as a member of the afternoon wave.

The second round will be completed tomorrow with the leading 60 players and ties progressing to the third round.

Play was suspended at approximately 5:15 pm (local time) and will resume at 6:30 am on Saturday morning.