The 24-year-old Francella had five birdies and a bogey on the Bosque Real Country Club course in the round marred by sporadic rain that prevented 87 players from completing the round. She had an 8-under 136 total.

Stacy Prammanasudh, the first-round leader after a 67, and South Korea's Seon-Hwa Lee were tied for second at 6 under. Prammanasudh, coming off a victory two weeks ago in the Fields Open in Hawaii, played only two holes today, while Lee shot a 69.

Mi Hyun Kim was 5 under through three holes.

Annika Sorenstam, the two-time defending champion making her first start of the year, was 3 under through two holes. Natalie Gulbis also was 3 under through two holes.

Mexican star Lorena Ochoa was 2 under, also through two holes.

Play resumed after a three-hour delay, then was called for good at 6 p.m. because of lightning. Thirty players were unable to start the round.

The first round also was hampered by rain, with 67 players finishing play this morning.