Weather set to lead to extension in Shanghai

The BMW Asian Open is set to extend into Monday after a lengthy delay to the final round today.

The threat of lightning at Tomson Golf Club in Shanghai forced the early starters off the course at 8.55am local time, with only 10 groups having teed off.

When that threat was lifted tournament officials decided against reducing the event to 54 holes, announcing play would re-start at 12.10pm local time, a delay of three hours and 15 minutes.

That meant the leaders would not be teeing off until 4.30pm and would therefore be required to return on Monday morning to complete the €1.1m event.

Any further delays however could still see the tournament reduced to 54 holes.

At 19 under par Ernie Els has a five-shot lead over England’s Simon Wakefield, with Denmark’s Thomas Bjorn two shots further back.