SunTrip

OAKMONT, Pennsylvania (AFP) – Heavy rainfall led to the suspension of Friday's second-round 3.25 million dollar US Women's Open.

Sweden's Sophie Gustafson birdied the first hole, her only hole on Friday, to move in front at even-par at the Oakmont Country Club course.

World number one Cristie Kerr, of the US, shot an even-par 71 on Friday and moved into a tie for second at one-over 143.

"We had a very dry course, and it can take a lot of rain," said the USGA's Mike Davis, who is confident that improving weather will allow the biggest event in women's golf to finish on schedule Sunday night.

A steady string of thunderstorms that began with 100 of the 156 golfers still to begin or complete the second round caused play to be suspended at mid-afternoon Friday.

Twenty-eight of the 31 golfers who were within three strokes of the lead had played only a few holes or had yet to tee off.

Kerr finished her round before the pelting rains flooded Oakmont.

Brittany Lang fell from a first-round 69 to a three-over 74 as temperatures went down but the scores didn't, with Christina Kim a shot back at two-over 144 following back to back 72s.

The leaders won't start the third round until approximately 5:30 pm local time Saturday and will finish Sunday morning.