The winner of the Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific in 2021 at Abu Dhabi Golf Club holed putts from everywhere to make seven birdies on Friday and lead the tournament by one at nine-under-par.

“Birdies are fun,” Hashimoto said. “There were a lot of long putts, but I made it well.”

Made them she did, including back-to-back birdies at the 17th and 18th holes to pull clear of playing partner Jiyoo Lim of Korea, whose 68 included six birdies and two bogeys. Lim’s own birdie at the penultimate hole coming after a laser like approach from 90 metres to within inches of the hole.

“Distance is 90. I love that distance, and I can birdie,” Lim said.

“I remember the last year clearly, but I'm here as I want to try a new challenge." - Mizuki Hashimoto.

Lim is two shots clear of Ting-Hsuan Huang of Chinese Taipei, Aussie Kelsey Bennett part of a three-way tie for fourth on five-under.

Bennett struggled on the greens during the second round to a 72, but feels as if there is a low round in the offering on the par-72 near Pattaya in Thailand.

“Most definitely,” Bennett said when asked if a low score was potentially in her future. “If I can walk away with my worst score being even, then I won’t complain.”

Overnight leader Liyana Durisic is part of the group at four-under after a two-over 74, the Malaysian joined by Thai hope Natthakritta Vongtaveelap, who looked a likely leader early on Friday when she made the turn in three-under to reach eight-under only to experience a horror finish.

Bogeys at the par-5 6th and par-3 7th were compounded by double bogey at the 8th from Vongtaveelap, who shared runner-up honours with Bennett and l Kan Bunnabodee last year.

Knowing they can contend at this event, which offers starts at the AIG Women’s Open, Amundi Evian Championship and Augsuta National Women’s Amateur to the winner, will help the pair as they attempt to chase down Hashimoto.

But the 20-year-old will herself be taking plenty out of last year’s experience as she looks to become the first ever two-time Women’s Amateur Asia-pacific champion.

“I remember the last year clearly, but I'm here as I want to try a new challenge,” she said.

China's Mengahn Li, the youngest player in the field at 14, was forced to retire on Friday due to illness.