Rain disrupts LPGA Tour Championship

HOUSTON, Nov. 20 (UPI) -- Lorena Ochoa, without hitting a single shot, maintained her lead Friday at the LPGA Tour Championship -- the circuit's last event of the season.

Heavy rains delayed the start of play in the second round until early afternoon and darkness forced a suspension of play.

Only half the field was able to begin the second round and no one completed 18 holes. Ochoa, who shot a 6-under 66 for a one-shot advantage after the opening round, was among those unable to get started Friday.

Reilley Rankin, who was a shot behind Ochoa after the first round, and Taylor Leon, who was two shots back, also did not start play.

More rain was forecast overnight into Saturday morning, but tournament officials insisted a full 72-hole event would be held.

"There's a ton of things riding on this tournament," said Doug Brecht, the LPGA Tour's vice president of rules. "Because of that and the importance of it, we are committed to playing 72 holes."

Sophie Gustafson was in the process of putting together the best round of the day when the action was suspended. She was 4-under for her round through 11 holes and was 2-under for the tournament -- four shots behind Ochoa.

Ochoa, the world's top-ranked female golfer, began the event eight points behind Jiyai Shin in the race for the LPGA's Player-of-the-Year award. Ochoa is trying to win the honor for the fourth time.