Davies gutted after delay

Laura Davies admitted she was “totally gutted” when a long delay for stormy weather left her facing the prospect of having to complete her second round of the McDonald’s LPGA Championship tomorrow morning.

Davies was hoping to watch the England versus Paraguay World Cup match on American TV, but instead she will be trying to stay in contention in the second major of the women’s season, at Bulle Rock in Maryland.

Davies opened with a level-par 72 and slipped to one over par after a bogey at the fourth in the second round, which was her final hole before thunder and lightning forced a suspension of play that stretched to over four hours.

“This is juts a nightmare scenario,” said Davies as she sat in the clubhouse. “I really want to watch the match tomorrow morning, but this means we are going to have a really long day on the course.”

Sixteen-year-old Michelle Wie was one of the lucky 37 players who managed to finish before the storm hit – and a five-birdie 68 put the teenager on five-under-par 139 at halfway.

She was just a shot behind the clubhouse leader, her playing partner and fellow-American Dorothy Delasin. The Californian fired a 71 for six-under 138.

Wie missed a few birdie chances, but was looking forward to her bid to claim a first title as a professional and go one better than last year when she finished runner-up to Annika Sorenstam.

“I left a lot of shots out there, but I still feel I’m, striking it really well,” said Wie.

“The greens are very tricky, but hopefully I’ll get some more to fall over the next two days.”

Karen Stupples, who opened with a 70, remained the leading British player on two under par. She had made par at he opening hole when play was halted.

American Pat Hurst was the leader on the course at eight under through three holes. She was two ahead of Delasin, South Korea’s Shi Hyun Ahn and the overnight leader from American Nicole Castrale.