By IANS,
Shanghai : Inclement weather forced the second round of play at the $5 million HSBC Champions at the Sheshan International Golf Club to be called off Friday.
Play is now scheduled to begin Saturday morning, local time. India’s top contender Jeev Milkha Singh is lying tied 24th with a round of two-under 70, while S.S.P. Chowrasia is 65th with a 76. Henrik Stenson of Sweden leads the field with a round of seven-under 65.
The 32-year-old Swede had six birdies and one eagle against a lone bogey to take a slender one shot lead over tournament marquee names that include defending champion Phil Mickelson and Anthony Kim from the United States, Australia’s Adam Scott and current world number three, Sergio Garcia from Spain.
They are all bunched together in tied-second after posting matching 66s in wet and cold conditions.
The second round was due to start on the tenth tee but with heavy rain causing flooding on several of the fairways, tournament officials had no choice but to call off play.
“Our prime objective and our current intention is to complete 72 holes in the HSBC Champions. Our plan will be to put the players straight back out for the third round without a redraw,” said David Probyn, Tournament Director of the HSBC Champions.
“Clearly if we have any further delays to this schedule, there is a strong possibility that play in the fourth round maybe needed to be completed Monday morning and this has been provisionally agreed with all parties within the tournament,” added Probyn.