Miyu Yamashita took advantage of a comfortable pairing with compatriot Rio Takeda and calmer conditions to shoot a sparkling 7-under 65 and vault to a three-stroke lead at Royal Porthcawl. Takeda, a rookie who has already won twice on the LPGA, sits in solo second, three shots back.

As Miyu Yamashita came off a sun-soaked 18th green, where she had just missed one final chance for birdie, the Japanese golfer was presented with a birthday card and a cake. After giving interviews in the mixed zone,