WILMINGTON, Del. - Jennifer Rosales wanted to build on her one-shot lead Friday in the LPGA Championship. Instead, she did laundry.
Steady, overnight rain filled bunkers with water and left DuPont Country Club so saturated that the maintenance crew couldn't mow the fairways and greens. With more rain in the forecast and 144 women in the field, tournament officials decided to take the day off.
"I think it's better, instead of going out there and pulling us off (the course) again," Rosales said.
Tournament officials said the second round would resume today with the same groups and tee times. The cut remains the top 70 and ties. Those players face 36 holes Sunday.
"My hope is we have a very small cut, and the players play quickly," tournament director Alice Miller said.
The LPGA Tour was criticized in 1996 when it shortened the championship to 54 holes because of rain. It was the only time an LPGA major has not gone 72.
The postponement means the tournament likely will not finish by the time its television coverage on CBS goes off the air at 6 p.m. Sunday.
"We regret that situation," said Barb Trammel, vice president of tournament operations for the tour. "We do have an opportunity to complete 72 holes by Sunday at dark. And that's our first objective."
This is the fourth consecutive year that rain has interrupted the championship. Last year, most of the third round was washed out, and Annika Sorenstam had to play 34 holes Sunday - one in a playoff - before winning.
"It will get to you," Rosales said. "The last time I played 36 holes was the U.S. Open qualifier three years ago. It's tough. At least we get to put in 72 holes, which is good in a major tournament."
Rosales, who opened 5-under 66, showed up at the course and noticed no one was on the practice range. She learned of the delay and headed back to her room.
"I just did my laundry," she said. "I'm going to have lunch and watch a movie."
She has a one-shot lead over Karen Stupples, Gloria Park and Chiharu Yamaguchi. Sorenstam and Grace Park were among those at 68.
