• LPGA Classic in Bahamas Finally Underway, Three at the Top

First-round play at the Pure Silk-Bahamas LPGA Classic was suspended due to darkness on Friday at 7:41 p.m. American Heather Bowie Young and Italian Silvia Cavalleri each shot 6-under-par 39 on the 12-hole, par 45 revised layout Friday to take the clubhouse lead at the inaugural event.

Colombia’s Mariajo Uribe was also at 6-under however she is one of 27 players will return at 8 a.m. on Saturday morning to complete first round play, with second-round play beginning simultaneously.

Four players, including major champion Anna Nordqvist, are tied for fourth at 5-under-par 40.

Queensland’s Katherine Hull-Kirk is leading the Australian contingent so far. Hull-Kirk posted a two-under, 43, to be tied for 38th position. Victorian Lindsey Wright and the NSW duo of Frances Bondad and Julia Boland are a further shot behind and currently share 52nd place.

Unfortunately NSW’s Sarah Kemp and Queensland’s Sarah Jane Smith didn’t have a great start. Kemp is two-over and tied for 115th position, while Smith is four-over and tied for 141st place.

Heavy rains on Tuesday forced tournament officials to shorten the 18-hole layout at the Ocean Club Golf Course. Crews will continue to work on clearing water from the course into the night on Friday.

Lightning in the area forced a nearly three hour suspension of play between 10:38 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., further delaying tee times. The final group of the first round teed off at 6:25 p.m.

“It`s just Mother Nature, and as a golfer you grow up with this,” said Bowie Young. “You know you just go when you can, and they`re making the absolute best of the situation. I`m really glad we`re playing golf.”

Tournament officials expect to complete two rounds of play by Saturday evening. To do so, players will remain in the same groups for the second round with no flip-flop of tee times.

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