A severe storm in Melbourne brought an early end to the second day of the Women's Australian Open at the Commonwealth Golf Club.
Taiwan's defending champion Yani Tseng finished her second round to lead at nine under par, shooting six-under 67 today.
Korean arch rival Jiyai Shin, the world No.1, is two shots behind on seven-under with three holes to finish tomorrow.
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Also at seven-under in joint second place is another Korean Eun-Hee Ji, while American Jennifer Song is also in the club house at six-under.
Heading the Aussie challenge is Canberra's Nikki Campbell, who is tied for fifth at five under after 35 holes, while Frances Bondad and Nicki Garrett, both from Sydney, are two further back at three under.
Tseng, who moved up to number five in the world rankings after winning two major titles in 2010, was out early and rattled off six birdies without blemish the the Commonwealth's highly-ranked sand belt layout.
The expected afternoon challenge from Shin began immediately after she teed off at 1pm in the marquee group.
The short and stocky Korean rolled in birdie putts on the opening two greens to reach eight under and threaten to run away with the tournament.
However she lost momentum with a bogey on the short seventh hole and couldn't make anything worthwhile after that.
Tseng makes no secret of her ambition to topple her arch rival and become the best female golfer on the planet.
"I was trying last year but I could not get there. This year I think I have a very good chance," the Taiwanese said.
"She (Shin) is always on top and very consistent. I never expect she is going to miss any shot. That's how she is. I think she is a very good player and good for golf too."
Four-time national champion Karrie Webb was below her best, at one stage dropping four shots in three holes before recovering to be two under par after 35 holes, alongside another well-performed Australian Katherine Hull.
The World Golf Hall of Fame member will need to produce something special on moving day to put pressure on the two young guns dominating the leader board.
