LPGA players will have a second chance at the second round of the Sybase Classic after heavy rain and flooding forced officials to scrap what little play took place.

No golfer managed to finish more than 15 holes before conditions became unplayable, so all results from Friday were scrapped and the event will be shortened from 72 to 54 holes with the second round set to be played on Saturday.

"Basically when you make a decision to wash a round usually you're dealing with the equity for the majority of the players," LPGA director of tournament competition Sue Witters said. "You're never going to make anybody happy.

"Obviously there's a couple players I heard that played well today, but the conditions they played in — we couldn't play anymore golf today and the conditions they will play in tomorrow would have been totally different."

Lightning halted play in the morning and heavy rain swamped the course, but forecasts are favorable for the weekend.

The top 65 players and those level after 36 holes will make the cut for Sunday's final round at the $2-million event.

Witters said the possibility of playing two rounds on Saturday was discussed, but it was ruled out due to the weekend's forecast.

"There was that conversation," she said. "The problem is, our forecast on Sunday is not looking great, either. So that doesn't help us."

Sweden's Annika Sorenstam, who announced Tuesday she would retire at the end of this season, remained with a share of the lead after firing a five-under par 67 on Thursday. She never even made it to the first tee on Friday.

Sorenstam has won her past two starts, including last week's Michelob Ultra Open, and shares the lead entering the second round with South Korean Song-Hee Kim and Australian Rachel Hetherington.

World number one Lorena Ochoa of Mexico is among six players one stroke off the pace. She was also a late starter on Friday.

Scotland's Catriona Matthew had gained two strokes to grab a share of the lead at six-under through seven holes with Harrington, who had also picked up a stroke, when the round was halted and their success discarded.

Canada's Alena Sharp, who opened with a 73, had eagled the par-five fifth hole but lost the great shot when conditions allowed her to finish only one more hole before heading for shelter.

AFP