Ooltewah, TN (Sports Network) - Lisa Schlesinger was five-under through 16 holes on Saturday when the Senior Women's Amateur Championship was suspended due to darkness.

The start to the tournament was delayed by more than two hours due to fog, and 15 players were unable to finish the round once play got underway. Schlesinger will return to The Honors Course at 8 a.m. (et) on Sunday to complete her round and likely take the first-round lead.

The clubhouse leader at the moment is Mary Ann Hayward, who shot a two-under 70 on Saturday. She is two shots ahead of defending champion Mina Hardin, whose even-par 72 has her second place in the clubhouse and third overall.

Mary Budke finished a round of one-over 73, while Susan Stewart is still on the course at plus-one. The pair share fourth.

Schlesinger may have hoped darkness prevented her from playing the seventh hole, her last hole and only bogey of the day. Given that the top 64 players in stroke play advance to the match play portion of the event, chances are good that it won't prove harmful in the end.

"I just rolled putts, that's all," Schlesinger said.

Hayward is riding a wave of momentum after winning the Canadian Senior Women's Amateur title two weeks ago. She's also the 2005 U.S. Women's Mid-Amateur champion.

"That's the best ball-striking day I've ever had," Hayward said. "Ever."

Budke is playing in her first event since retiring last November to become an emergency room physician. She's a former U.S. Women's Amateur champion and Curtis Cup participant.

After the players complete the second round of stroke play on Sunday, barring any further delays, the top 64 players advance to match play, which runs until an 18-hole final on Thursday.

09/10 21:30:03 ET