HAINAN ISLAND, China – South Africa’s Lee-Anne Pace had a four-stroke lead Sunday in the Blue Bay LPGA when final-round play was suspended because of darkness.
Pace had five holes left when the round was stopped at 6:15 p.m. Rain delayed play for nearly four hours with the leaders halfway through the round, leading to a Monday finish in the tournament cut from 72 to 54 holes after play was washed out Friday.
Tied with American Jessica Korda at 11 under entering the round, the 33-year-old Pace made three front-nine birdies before the delay and holed a 15-foot birdie putt on the par-4 12th.
Pace is seeking her first LPGA Tour title and second victory in eight days after winning a playoff last Sunday in the Ladies European Tour’s South African Women’s Open. She’s also in position for her third victory in China after winning the LET’s Sanya Ladies Open in 2010 and 2013.
Michelle Wie was second, also with five holes left in her second start since withdrawing from the Evian Championship in September after reinjuring her right hand.
Korda and Germany’s Caroline Masson were tied for third at 10 under. Korda had five holes left, and Masson four. New Zealand’s Lydia Ko was 9 under after a 68. American Danielle Lang also was 9 under with four holes remaining.
China’s Shanshan Feng was in the group at 8 under with five holes left.
The tournament is the fourth stop on the six-event Asian Swing. The LPGA Taiwan Championship is next week, followed by the Mizuno Classic in Japan.