(Helsinki GC, Finland – August 26, 2005) – Play was suspended at 15:22hrs due to thunder storms and lightning during round one of the inaugural Ladies Finnish Masters, at Helsinki GC, Finland, with the first round due to resume at 07:00hrs on day two.

Ursula Wikstrom

Another Solheim hopeful, Veronica Zorzi from Italy, was seven-over-par after completing her first round and Cecilia Ekelundh from Sweden was two-over-par after 11 holes.

Kuosa, who will turn 28 tomorrow and shares her birthday with the 2004 Ryder Cup Captain Bernhard Langer, was delighted with her finish after a disappointing start to her professional career. In two seasons on the Robe di Kappa Ladies European Tour (LET), her best placing was tied 11th at the 2004 Ladies Central European Open.

“Winning this week would be a good present for everyone who has supported me and a good birthday present for me tomorrow,” she said. Kiovuranta, 33, who lives a two hour drive away in Turku, said that she also enjoyed competing before the home gallery.

“You get nervous because you don’t know what’s going to happen but I’ve got a lot of friends here and I love an audience,” she admitted.