Miyuu Yamashita kept herself within striking distance of a golf medal after two days of the women's Olympic tournament on Thursday, with the Japanese player five shots off the lead but only two from the podium.
The 23-year-old went one shot better than her opening round 71 on Thursday to move to 3-under and a tie for sixth position, with leader Morgane Metraux of Switzerland at 8-under, one shot ahead of China's Yin Ruoning.
New Zealander Lydia Ko has sole possession of third at 5-under.
Tokyo Olympic gold medalist Nelly Korda was well in contention after 15 holes at 6-under on the day and for the tournament, but a quadruple bogey on the par-3 16th and another dropped shot on 17 sent the world No. 1 tumbling down the leaderboard.
Yamashita rued a "series of bogeys on the back nine," but said she was able to "recover well and finish with good form," thanks to three shots picked up in the last four holes.
"I played while being intent to get back even one stroke. I'll do my best to prepare well and improve in the remaining two days," the 11-time winner on Japan's LPGA tour said.
Yuka Saso, the 2024 U.S. Women's Open champion, continued to struggle around Le Golf National in Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, outside Paris.
The 23-year-old is in a tie for 47th at 7-over after rounds of 77 and 74, but with no cut in the Olympic tournament, she will play on.
"I think I did better than the first day," she said. "My tee shots and second shots both improved. There are only two days left, so I want to do my best."
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