Thursday, November 6, 2008

Rain hits play at Champions event

FIRST ROUND LEADERBOARD: (GB & Ire unless stated)
-7 H Stenson (Swe) -6 P Mickelson (US), A Kim (US), S Garcia (Spa), A Scott (Aus) -5 M Cayeux (Zim), O Wilson -4 I Poulter, D McGrane, Pe Lawrie, T Levet (Fra), G Bourdy (Fra), P Marksaeng (Tha)
Selected others: -3 P Harrington, R Karlsson (Swe) -1 P Casey Par D Clarke

Graeme McDowell braves the rain at the practice ground
Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell braves the rain at the practice ground

The second day's play at the HSBC Champions tournament in Shanghai has been abandoned because of heavy rain.

Organisers of the $5m event delayed the start several times before declaring the day a wash-out at 1350 local time.

More rain and fog is forecast for Saturday when play is scheduled to start early in an attempt to squeeze in the second and third rounds.

Henrik Stenson leads the event on six under ahead of Phil Mickelson, Sergio Garcia, Adam Scott and Anthony Kim.

Tournament organisers are still hopeful of declaring a winner on Sunday, although provisional plans to complete play on Monday are in place.

606: DEBATE

"Our prime objective and our current intention is to complete 72 holes," said European Tour tournament director David Proby.

"Clearly if we have any further delays there is a strong possibility that play in the fourth round may need to be completed on Monday morning and this has been provisionally agreed with all parties."

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