Superstition, AZ (AHN) - Catriona Matthew hasn't played a round of competitive golf in nearly seven months, and with good reason.

She gave birth to her first child last August, but showed no rustiness while firing an opening round 4-under par 68 to grab a share of the first round lead with Young Jo at the Safeway International on the Superstition Mountain Golf and Country Club's Prospector course.

2006 Player of the Year Lorena Ochoa and Mi Hyun Kim were one shot back after shooting 3-under 69's, but 72 players were still in the middle of their rounds when play was suspended because of darkness last night.

Rain and lightning caused played to be suspended for almost two hours during Thursday's first round, and players are scheduled to return to the course early Friday morning to complete their opening 18 holes.

"You don't know what to expect coming out here, since I haven't played for a while," Matthew said after she finished her first round. "After such a long layoff, I've been practicing well."

The weather had as much to do with the tough conditions as anything, only nine players were able to break par.

Defending champion Juli Inkster, who shot a 1-under 71, was among those who were frustrated with the conditions.

"It was difficult to try to pick the club," Inkster said in her post round news conference. "The course played a lot longer today, and I thought it played tough out there."

Annika Sorenstam was one of the 72 players who did not complete her round. She was at 1-over par through 15 holes when play was suspended.