Mika Miyazato of Japan took the lead at the Evian Masters after the second round on Friday, shooting a 5-under 67 to move to 9 under and one stroke clear of Gwladys Nocera of France.
Miyazato made six birdies after beginning Friday's play at 4 under. Nocera eagled the ninth hole and her fifth birdie of the day on the 17th moved her level, but she then bogeyed the 18th.
Jeong Jang of South Korea is next at 7 under.
The 20-year-old Miyazato played through two weather delays, a shorter one in the morning and a longer break midway through the afternoon.
"I was very, very focused today," she said. "In the beginning, the first nine, my driver wasn't as steady, but with the rain delay, I was able to refresh my mindset and have a good back nine."
Nocera has won 10 times on the Ladies European Tour since 2006, but has finished outside of the top 40 in her five previous appearances at Evian. She has a more relaxed approach this year.
"I told my coach, my caddie, my mental coach, and myself, that I will leave (the 18th hole) every day with a smile," Nocera said. "That was the whole point, and I'm doing all right now and I need to keep on going. This is such a great event and I'm so lucky to be part of it."
Sun-Ju Ahn, Morgan Pressel and Melissa Reid shared the overnight first-round lead at 6 under, but they struggled as play was suspended due to thunderstorms.
Pressel (72) stayed at 6 under, Ahn (73) dropped to 5 under and Reid (77) is at 1 under.
Michelle Wie started the day tied for sixth at 4 under, but she slipped way down the leaderboard at 1 over after a sluggish round (77) that included a quintuple bogey on the 10th hole.
Defending champion Ai Miyazato of Japan managed only a 72 to stay at 3 under overall and six shots off the lead.
