The final round of the Australian Ladies Classic was suspended for 3.45 hours from 2pm local time in New South Wales as thunder, lightning and heavy rain pelted the course at Bonville Golf Resort.

Just before 5pm, the sunshine returned and as the course had drained remarkably quickly, play will resume at 5.45pm local time.

The final group was on the 13th hole when the course was evacuated. At 12-under-par, France’s Celine Boutier held a four-stroke lead over Katie Burnett of the United States.