Final round play was suspended at 2.38pm local time in Germany due to the threat of lightning in the area but will resume at 4.05pm.
Italian Diana Luna, who led by two overnight, held a five stroke lead over Frenchwoman Virginie Lagoutte-Clement at 22-under after 13 holes and was well placed to win the Audi A5 convertible and take the €52,500 first prize.
LET Chief Rules Official Mark Vande Broek spotted lightning nearby as the clouds rolled in and winds picked up at Golfpark Gut Häusern after a baking morning in Munich.
Weather forecasters are predicting a second storm to come in and Tournament Director Cyprien Comoy made the decision to protect the seven remaining groups of players and the 10,400 spectators on the golf course.
Germany’s Sandra Gal had just tapped in for a par on the 18th and an unofficial round of 66 to finish at 13 under par when play was halted. “I was very lucky I had a little tap-in and I could just finish it,” she commented.
The 26-year-old from Dusseldorf told the assembled media that she was disappointed with her performance, despite having carded six birdies in the final round.
“It really, really hurts, you know, because I felt I was playing so well. It was one of the best ball-striking weeks of the year, I have to say, but that’s just golf. You can’t force it and if you want it too much, they’re not going to fall,” she said in a television interview.
“It was a first time experience for me. It was a lot of publicity from your home country, so it feels different from over in America. I think I was physically tired: a lot of running around for three days but I loved it. It was a good experience for me and I think I learned from it.
“I think the UniCredit Ladies German Open was a fantastic event and the LET can really be proud of it. I hope it’s going to continue to grow and more people will continue to watch over the next few years.”
The fourth edition of the tournament attracted a record number of spectators, with more than 31,450 over the five days including the Pro Am.
