Hainan Island, China (SportsNetwork.com) - After another rain delay of around four hours on Sunday, the final round of the Blue Bay LPGA was suspended due to darkness and is scheduled to conclude on Monday as Lee-Anne Pace holds a 4-shot lead through 13 holes.
The event, which was reduced from 72 to 54 holes, has been plagued by rain all week. Through 13 holes, Pace is at 15-under par, which is four shots better than U.S. Women's Open champion Michelle Wie, who is minus-11 through 13 holes.
Jessica Korda, who was the outright leader after round one and the co-leader with Pace following round two, is tied for third at 10-under with Caroline Masson. Korda is through 13 holes, while Masson is through 14 at Jian Lake Blue Bay Golf Course.
Lydia Ko was able to finish her round and she is tied for fifth at 9-under 207 after a final-round, 5-under 68. Danielle Kang is also at minus-9 through 14 holes.
Shanshan Feng hit a bit of a skid before play was called for the day, and she is at minus-8 through 13 along with Brittany Lang and Chella Choi. Jenny Shin (67) finished at 8-under 208.
Pace and Korda began the day at minus-11, with Feng and Choi sitting behind them at minus-10. After three straight pars, Pace made birdie on No. 4 and took a 1-shot lead over Korda. She made it two in a row with a birdie on five to stretch her advantage to two. Pace birdied No. 7 to get to minus-14 and then she made a pair of pars on eight and nine to make the turn at minus-3 for the day.
Although it was raining throughout most of the day, the heavy rain began to fall as the final groups were just making the turn.
Following a delay of about four hours, Pace made two pars before making her fourth birdie, stretching her lead to four. She made par on No. 13 before play was called for the day.
Wie began her day with a bogey on two, but she responded with a pair of birdies on three and four. Another bogey on six was later canceled out with a birdie on eight. After the delay, Wie made a birdie on 10 to move to minus-11. She finished with three pars before play was called.
Korda started out with six straight pars before making a birdie on No. 7 to remain within two of Pace. A bogey on nine dropped her back a shot and Korda later made another bogey on 12 before ending the day with a par on 13, putting her five shots back.
Masson bogeyed No. 2, but later rattled off three straight birdies from No. 6. Another bogey on 10 was canceled out by a birdie on 13 and Masson parred her last hole of the day on 14 to join Korda in third.
NOTES: This is the second time play has been suspended this week, with the second round being suspended on Friday. After that suspension of play, the tournament was reduced to 54 holes ... Pace is seeking her first victory on the LPGA Tour ... If Wie can make a comeback and earn a victory, it would be her fifth on tour and third this season ... Play is scheduled to start up again on Sunday night ET.
