Shanghai, China (My Sportsbook) - Heavy rain washed out the second round of the HSBC Champions tournament Friday before a single shot had been hit. Sheshan International Golf Club was rendered unplayable by the persistent rainfall and, after several efforts to push the round back, it was decided to suspend play for the day. The round will resume at 6:45 a.m. local time Saturday morning (5:45 p.m. ET on Friday) with groups going off the No. 1 and No. 10 tees. The tournament director said the main objective was to get in a full 72 holes. "Our plan will be to put the players straight back out for the third round without a redraw," said David Probyn. "Therefore, we would hope that the final matches would be able to achieve around 27 holes [Saturday]." The event marks the start of the European Tour's 2009 season and the beginning of its new Race to Dubai, the season-long money scramble that replaces the Order of Merit and ends in the most lucrative tournament in golf, the $10 million Dubai World Championship. Henrik Stenson held the first-round lead after shooting a seven-under 65 on Thursday. Defending champion and world No. 2 Phil Mickelson had a six-under 66 and shares second place with world No. 3 Sergio Garcia, No. 8 Anthony Kim and No. 16 Adam Scott. The star-studded field of 77 players also includes Ian Poulter (68), reigning Order of Merit winner Robert Karlsson (69), defending British and PGA champion Padraig Harrington (69), and Geoff Ogilvy (70). |
