South Africa's Pace was four shots clear of second-placed Michelle Wie with five holes to play when the action was suspended due to bad light at 6:14pm local time on Sunday, following a delay of almost four hours caused by torrential downpours.
Four groups have yet to complete their final round at Jian Lake Blue Bay Golf Course, but Pace appears unlikely to be overhauled.
Having shared the lead with Jessica Korda after 36 holes, the 33-year-old picked up birdies at the fourth, fifth, seventh and 12th holes to reach 15 under.
Korda could only muster a solitary birdie and slipped back to 10 under as a result of bogeys on the ninth and 12th.
That left the American in a tie for third with Germany's Caroline Masson, one behind Wie, who mixed four gains with two dropped shots in her final round.
Lydia Ko held the clubhouse lead when play was brought to a close, but her nine-under total of 207 is almost certain to be beaten on Monday.