The 35-year-old now sits on seven-under at Mission Hills Country Club, one shot clear of seven-time major winner Inbee Park of South Korea, Australia's Minjee Lee and the United States’ Nelly Korda and Cristie Kerr.

Thailand’s Moriya Jutanugarn is on five-under after a second-round 70.

Fifty-six players have still to complete their second rounds at the first women’s major of the year, which has been disrupted by the weather.

Winds of 45 miles per hour halted play yesterday, while darkness brought proceedings to an end today after Pettersen had completed her round.

"I played really good," the Norwegian said.

"It really hasn't been that long of a day, but I played quite a bit of golf.

"Just Steady Eddie, just plugging along, hitting good shots, giving myself chances."

Joint first-round leader Karine Icher of France is one of those players that will have to return to the course early tomorrow to finish round two.

She is only one shot behind two-time major winner Pettersen with seven holes to complete.

American Michelle Wie is also six-under, with 10 holes of her second round remaining.

New Zealand’s Lydia Ko, the world number one and defending champion, posted a second-consecutive round of 70 and is currently tied for 11^th place on four-under.

World number two Ariya Jutanugarn of Thailand and England’s Charley Hull, last year’s runner-up, are among those level with Ko.

Hull dropped shots at the par-four 15th and the par-five 18^th for a round of 72.

Action at the tournament is scheduled to conclude on Sunday (April 2).