Rain has delayed Karrie Webb’s quest for an eighth major as the first round of the LPGA Championship was washed out on Thursday.

Heavy, steady rain early Thursday meant play never got underway, with the first round now due to start on Friday morning.

Eighteen holes will be played on both of the first two days, with the cut coming at the conclusion of Saturday’s second round.

Officials plan to play 36 holes on Sunday.

“I think coming into the day everybody knew what the weather was going to be,” said world number two Stacy Lewis of the United States. “We knew it was going to be a long day, long week. It always is here.

“We’re golfers. We deal with rain delays all the time,” Lewis added. “So you just have to stay patient with it and when you have an opportunity to play, just be ready to go and hopefully your golf swing can stay in a rhythm.”

More than an inch of rain fell before play was called for the day, raising speculation that the already dense, tall rough at Locust Hill would be even more challenging.

“The rough this year in my opinion is the longest that I’ve ever seen it,” said American Paige Mackenzie. “It’s always healthy, but it’s like Sunday rough on Tuesday, so it’ll be interesting not having cut it what it’s going to look like on Sunday with this kind of moisture and if it’s going to continue to grow the next four days.”

Webb, 38, has not won a major in seven years since the 2006 Kraft Nabisco Championship but she has the form to support her confidence as she eyes a rare achievement.

If Webb wins, the Hall of Famer will become the most successful major champion amongst active golfers, breaking out of a tie with American great Juli Inkster.

“I would like to add to that number just for myself personally,” Webb said.

“I hold the majors as the most important tournaments of the year and I want to add to those titles before I finish up.”