Colorado Springs: South Korea's Kim In-kyung took control of the thunderstorm-delayed US Women's Open by moving two strokes clear after 14 holes before darkness halted play in the second round on Friday.
Kim, 23 and bidding for her first major title, was at four under par overall, having opened with a one-under 70 on the East Course at The Broadmoor.
The Korean has enjoyed outstanding success in her last three Open appearances, tying for third in 2008 and 2009 and finishing fourth last year.
Tied for second place at The Broadmoor were Americans Wendy Ward, after 15 holes, first-round leader Stacy Lewis, after 16, and unheralded amateur Amy Anderson, who was yet to tee off in the second round.
Lewis, who won the year's first major and her maiden LPGA Tour title at the Kraft Nabisco Championship in April, held a three-shot lead after seven holes of her second round.
Self-destruction
However, she began to self-destruct when play resumed after an hour-long storm delay late on Friday, recording a bogey at the 14th and a double bogey at the 15th.
"I played really good all day," Lewis, who set the first-round pace with a 68, said.
"I'm frustrated with the way I finished. It's unfortunate we didn't get done today."
Ward had opened with a 73 but she produced bogey-free golf in the second round with four birdies in the first 15 holes before played was halted for the day.
Only 33 players in the field managed to complete the 36 holes, including clubhouse leaders Angela Stanford (70) and fellow American Lizette Salas (73) who both finished at even-par 142.
Paula Creamer, the defending champion, kept herself in the mix after opening with a 72 and was one under for the tournament after 16 holes.
