Success on the LPGA Tour hinges so much on opportunities. Players have to give themselves the chances they need to score, to enable themselves to convert, all in an effort to try and win.

Through the first two days of the TOTO Japan Classic at Seta Golf Course, Paula Reto's top priority has been creating her own opportunities. With 36 holes in the books in Japan, Reto has played her way into contention and sits just five strokes off the pace heading into the weekend with back-to-back opening rounds of 69.

Reto has been red hot on the front nine of Seta Golf Course, where she's 9-under par through 36 holes. She added to that total with eagles on back-to-back days, including an opening eagle at the par five, first hole to jumpstart her round on Friday.

"You know what? I just want to give myself some chances. First few holes, I said to myself, just get on the green," Reto said about taking advantage of the front side. "Things are just falling into place actually, and then sort of need to get the back nine going here."

That's where Reto has given up nearly all the strokes she's gained on the front as she's gone 3-over par on the back nine through the first two days, which included three bogeys on Friday. What has been the difference over the course of the two nines? Reto says it's been a change in approach that she'll need to adjust this weekend.

"Every time my back nine, the wind started to pick up a little bit, so maybe I'm playing a little safe," Reto said about her strategy. "I think tomorrow I'm going to take advantage of those and just give myself a shot, so hopefully I can combine another couple."

This week marks Reto's fourth consecutive start during the LPGA Tour's fall swing through Asia. It's all part of a push for the South African to make up some ground in the latter part of the season as she doesn't just want to contend this weekend for her second career win on Tour, but also position herself for a chance to compete in the season-ending CME Group Tour Championship.

Reto comes into the TOTO Japan Classic ranked No. 83 in the Race to the CME Globe. She'll need a top showing this week in Japan, along with another strong finish next week at The ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican, if she wants to get into the Tour Championship. Players ranked inside the top 60 in the season-long points race will get into the field and that will be finalized upon the conclusion of next week's tournament.

Getting into the CME Group Tour Championship with a chance to chase down the $4 million winners' check is an opportunity that players pride themselves on and use to measure their season as a whole. For Reto, the chance to tee it up at the season-ending event has been a rare one, and one she hasn't enjoyed since 2022 when she won her first career win on the LPGA Tour.

While Reto has a single top 10 so far this season at the ISPS Handa Women's Scottish Open back in July, she is well-positioned to finish her season on a high this weekend, where she'll be buoyed by overwhelming fan support that players like Reto have come to know and appreciate each year they compete at the TOTO Japan Classic.

"The crowd is so nice and so good. Even if you make a par, they're clapping for you. Doesn't matter who you are, they're so supportive," Reto said about the fans in Japan. "It's just really nice to be here and all the kids to come out and just to support us, we feel so special."

Reto Creates Chances to Score, Climbs into Contention in Japan

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