Akie Iwai carded a two-under par 69 on Friday to push her lead to three strokes midway through the Canadian Women's Open, where the Japanese rookie is chasing a second straight LPGA title.

Iwai, who joined twin sister Chisato as an LPGA winner with her triumph in Portland last Sunday, started the day at Mississauga Golf and Country Club with a two-shot lead.

With a nine-under total of 133 she was three clear of world number one Jeeno Thitikul of Thailand, Ireland's Leona Maguire and Australian Minjee Lee.

Lee climbed the leaderboard with a four-under par 67 that featured five birdies before a bogey at 18.

Maguire had five birdies and four bogeys in a one-under 70 and Jeeno shook off an opening bogey to add two birdies in her one-under effort.

Iwai, who said Thursday she had put her br

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