PRATTVILLE, United States: South Africa’s Paula Reto fired a six-under 66 to take a three-shot lead over Hur Mi-Jung after 36 holes of the LPGA Tour’s Yokohama Tire Classic on Friday.

Tour rookie Reto completed the first two rounds at the Capitol Hill Golf Club course at 13-under-par. Her 131 total matched the tournament’s 36-hole record that Stacy Prammanasudh set in 2007.

“I was just really patient with myself. I hit a couple good irons especially early in the round. I hit a couple close, so that was nice, got the momentum going pretty early,” Reto said.

South Korea’s Hur carded a two-under 70 and is alone in second place at minus-10. World number one Stacy Lewis managed a 71 and is alone in third at nine-under 135. Lewis and Hur shared the first round lead on Thursday.

American Sydnee Michaels fired a seven-under 65, the low round of the day on Friday to vault into a tie for fourth at seven under. Michaels was joined there by Alison Walshe (68) and Thailand’s Moriya Jutanugarn (69).

Jane Park (70), Christina Kim (71) and Cydney Clanton (72) are tied for seventh at six-under 138.

Reto began her Friday round on the back nine. She made birdie at the fourth hole and another at the sixth. However, she gave one back by making bogey on the par-three seventh. Reto made amends for that error with a birdie on the ninth, her last hole of the day.

“It was nice to birdie the last hole yesterday as well as today, that was really nice,” Reto said. “Just trying to stay patient and not think too much, just simple things.”

Smith leads in Malaysia

Australian Cameron Smith will take a one shot lead into the final round of the Asian Tour’s Selangor Masters after benefiting from a Saturday meltdown by a poorly Anirban Lahiri.

The 27-year-old Indian led by two from Smith before Saturday’s third round on the outskirts of the Malaysian capital but had a tough day with a stomach bug, compounded by finishing with two double bogeys for a five-over-par 76.

That dropped him down into a tie for seventh on five-under for the $400,000 event, three behind Smith who also struggled over the closing holes, dropping three shots from the 15th in his level par round of 71.

“I was cramping up in my stomach as I had an issue with my gut. Every time I started my downswing, I would cramp up,” Lahiri said.

“I took some medication before the round but at the seventh, it got too much and I had to go (to the toilet). Every 20 to 30 minutes, I kept getting spasm. It was tough.

“But having said all that, I should have done better than I did. I’m still only three back though.”

The 21-year-old Smith, who only turned professional last year, is eight-under for his three rounds, one clear of Thai duo Chapchai Nirat (69) and Sattaya Supupramai (68).

Smith said he would be working on his putting before Sunday’s final round as he looks to close out a first win on the Asian Tour.

“I played pretty good but it was a disappointing finish. It was pretty tough out there and I didn’t putt that well ... no one to blame except myself. I’m going to relax and do some putting in my room,” the Brisbane resident said.

“I’ve been in this position a couple of times now. Hopefully I can close the deal. I need to stay patient and stick to my game plan. With a bit of luck, hopefully I can win.”

Asian Tour Order of Merit leader David Lipsky fired a 69 to move up into a tie for fourth alongside Australian Jake Higginbottom (71) and Taiwan’s Hung Chien-yao, who fired a best of the day 67.

Tom Pernice on top

Tom Pernice Jr. birdied his final four holes for a 12-under 60 and a four-stroke lead Friday in the Champions Tour’s Hawaii Championship.

Pernice finished a stroke off the tour record of 59 set by Kevin Sutherland last month in the Dick’s Sporting Goods Open in Endicott, New York.

Pernice played his final nine holes — the front nine at Kapolei Golf Club — in 7-under 29. He also had five birdies on his opening nine.

Pernice, a two-time winner on the US PGA Tour, won the Principal Charity Classic in June in Iowa for his third Champions Tour title.

Michael Allen was second after a 64.

Davis Love III opened with a 69 in his Champions Tour debut. The 20-time PGA Tour winner turned 50 in April.