American Stacy Lewis overcame rain and hail on Friday to take the second-round lead in the Swinging Skirts LPGA Classic, shooting her second straight three-under-par 69 in California.
Winless since the Women’s British Open in August, the third-ranked Lewis had a one-stroke lead over 17-year-old New Zealand playing partner Lydia Ko and first-round leader Karine Icher of France.
“We all went into the day knowing it would play hard,” said Lewis, who has five runner-up finishes since her victory at St Andrews.
“It was a test of patience. I took it one shot at a time and wanted to get the ball into the hole as fast as I could. Fortunately, I was able to do that.”
Ko had a 71 and Icher followed her opening 66 with a 73.
Lewis and Ko played alongside Michelle Wie, dealing with heavy rain and hail that suspended play for just over an hour.
Play resumed in steady drizzle that gave way to sunny afternoon conditions that helped several of the late starters.
“I honestly thought we’d get it done,” Lewis said. “Then we got to seven and it just poured. We had to call off Lydia from her putt when it started to hail.”
Ko, who turned 17 on Thursday, thought she could get her putt in before being called off.
“I was crazy and out of my mind thinking about putting in the hail,” Ko said. “It started getting dark and I’m glad I was called off.”
After spending the delay eating chicken soup and playing cards, Ko returned to the course and sank the putt.
Wie, the winner last week in Hawaii, was even-par after her second 72.
Icher was tied for the lead with Lewis at five-under when the horn sounded.
“I ate a little and dried my clothes,” Icher said. “Rain delays are never fun but it happens. Being in the top five to start the tournament is pretty good, definitely my best start this year.”
Top-ranked Inbee Park, Mika Miyazato and Ilhee Lee were three strokes back at three-under. Park had a 68 in the afternoon, Miyazato shot 69 and Lee had a 73.
Second-ranked Suzann Pettersen, returning from a back injury that sidelined her for three tournaments, was two-under after a 72.