Scotland’s Catriona Matthew had four second half birdies for a second successive round of two under par 70 and was in joint 15th place going into the final round of the Grand China Open at Hainan Island.

On four under par, Matthew was six strokes behind England’s Karen Stupples, who repeated her opening 67 to take a two shot lead over American Laura Diaz. 

On a day when severe storms forced two interruptions to play, Stupples, the 2004 Women’s British Open Champion, had eight birdies and chipped in from 35-feet at the final hole to raise her chances of a third LPGA Tour title. 

Sweden's Annika Sorenstam, who will take a break from tournament golf at the end of the season, had a 70 and was eight shots behind Stupples.