Hinako's Major Aspirations on Hold as Weather Intervenes

Houston, Texas, United States: Hinako Shibuno’s bid for victory in the 75th US Women’s Open has been put on hold for 24 hours.

Following Saturday’s third-round, the 22-year-old Japanese held a one-stroke lead atop the leaderboard on the Cypress Creek Course at Champions Golf Club.

However, her attempts to become her country’s first winner of the US Women’s Open and first multiple Major champion were dampened when play was suspended on Sunday due to deteriorating course conditions and anticipated inclement weather in the afternoon.

Eighteen players had yet to tee off in the championship’s final round when the United States Golf Association (USGA) decided to call of proceedings.

At that time, Champions Golf Club in Houston had received .73 inches of rain in the past 24 hours.

“We want to ensure course conditions are worthy of crowning a Major champion,” said John Bodenhamer, Senior Managing Director, Championships at the USGA.

Play is scheduled to resume at 8 am local time on Monday. It will be the first weather-induced Monday finish in the US Women’s Open since 2011.

“Though the final round will finish later than originally planned, every contender has the opportunity to rewrite the story of their career with a victory in the 75th edition,” said the USGA

Nine players will begin the day within four shots of the lead.

With a 54-hole total of four-under 209, Shibuno, last year’s Women’s British Open champion, is one shot in front of American Amy Olson and three clear of Thai Moriya Jutanugarn and Korean Kim2 Ji-yeong, who are tied for third.