Teenager Minjee Lee of Australia was closing in on her first LPGA Tour win on Sunday when darkness halted play in the weather-hit Kingsmill Championship.
The 18-year-old used a weather delay to good advantage, regrouping after dropping a shot at the fourth hole to notch five birdies and an eagle that gave her a four-shot lead at 16-under par through 15 holes.
“I knew I was right there,” Lee said. “I still have some work to do tomorrow, but just kind of gave myself opportunities, played smart golf. I didn’t do anything crazy. Just my putts seemed to drop.”
Photo: AP
She had just teed off at 16 when the horn sounded to halt the round because of darkness. With the option to complete the hole she chose to mark her ball on the fringe at the 16th green, hoping for a clearer picture of the line yesterday morning.
She was set to miss the US Women’s Open qualifying round to go for the win when her round resumed.
“Hopefully, if I can get the win tomorrow, I won’t have to go to the US Open qualifying,” she said.
American Alison Lee, who had held the halfway lead, was four strokes off the pace at 12-under through 14 holes.
She shook off not only the weather delay, but also a nosebleed at the ninth hole.
After treatment from medical personnel on the course she birdied the 10th hole.
“I know I’m going to have to play aggressively being four strokes behind Minjee,” Alison Lee said. “I know exactly what I have to do if I want to take this. It’s all up to me. It’s me against the golf course. No matter what Minjee does, I just have to play my best.”
Norwegian veteran Suzann Pettersen had the clubhouse lead after a 68 for a 10-under 274.
Overnight leader Perrine Delacour was 10-under through 14 holes — one-over for the round. Taiwan’s Candy Kung was on five-under when played was stopped.
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