Karrie Webb aced the 12th hole and left the course two holes later leading the LPGA Thailand by two strokes when rain prematurely ended the second round on Friday.
The Australian was 10-under par for the tournament through 14 holes, two ahead of another former world No.1, Jiyai Shin (6-under 66) and her South Korean compatriot Amy Yang (8 under through 14).
Suzann Pettersen (67) of Norway was among a provisional group of three at 7 under, and defending champion, Taiwan’s world No.1 Yani Tseng (65) led a group at 6 under.
Webb was looking forward to completing the second round with 13 other women early Saturday at Siam Golf and Country Club.
The seven-time major winner knocked down four successive birdies from holes 6-9 then made the fifth hole-in-one of her career on the par-3, 188-yard No.12. The last time she aced a hole was in 2008, in the third round of the Kraft Nabisco Championship in California.
Webb bogeyed the 13th but birdied the 14th before play was stopped.
“It was a very solid day,” the Australian said. “Obviously put a great swing on a 6-iron on No.12. I didn’t see it go in but the crowd roared when it went in off the green.
“I’m disappointed not to get finished today.”
Shin carded an error-free round of 66 to total 8-under 136, and the highest finished score in the clubhouse.
Countrywoman Na Yeon Choi was among those at 7 under, but she had four holes to complete.
The top-ranked Tseng was relieved to salvage some pride with a formidable round of 65 after carding 73 on Thursday. Playing with her right elbow taped, she offset two bogeys by sinking seven birdies and finishing with a seven-foot eagle putt on 18.
“(On Thursday) I went back to the hotel really, really sad and very, very disappointed. I was crying. It was really bad,” Tseng said.
“I told myself that I need to get back soon. I know that I can play well on this golf course and I know I can do this. I kept telling myself just focus on tomorrow.
“Today when I got to the golf course I felt great and I told my caddie, Jason, I’m going to shoot 7 under and get back into the top position. And I did.”
