Lee leads weather-hit LPGA Kingsmill championship

Australian teenager Minjee Lee was closing in on her first US LPGA Tour win when darkness halted play in the weather-hit Kingsmill Championship.

The 18-year-old had 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 on Sunday. "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."

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 in the morning.

She'll be skipping US Women's Open qualifying on Monday to go for the win when the round resumes.

"Hopefully if I can get the win tomorrow, then 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 lead at 12-under through 14 holes.

She shook off not only the wether delay but also a nosebleed at the ninth hole.

"I've had a nosebleed every day since I've been here," Lee said. "Just happen to have gotten it on the course today. Thankfully it didn't last too long."

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," the American 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 when Minjee does, I just have to play my best."

Norwegian veteran Suzann Pettersen had the clubhouse lead after a 68 for 10-under 274.

On the course, overnight leader Perrine Delacour was 10-under through 14 holes -- one-over for the -- round.

American Paula Creamer and South Koreans Ryu So-Yeon and Kim Hoo-Joo were also 10-under, Kim through 16 holes and Creamer and Ryu through 14.
Source: AFP