Rain scuppers early start

The start of today’s delayed second round of the HSBC Champions in Shanghai has been pushed back at least three hours after heavy overnight rain left parts of the Sheshan International Golf Club flooded.

Following the cancellation of the second round on Friday due to rain, tournament officials had hoped to allow the course to dry out and play was set to start as 6.45am local time (10.45pm Irish time).

But after continual overnight rain left parts of the course flooded, officials had no choice but to delay the start until at least 9.45am local time (1.45am Irish time).

Sweden’s Henrik Stenson leads following a first round seven-under-par 65, one stroke ahead of defending champion Phil Mickelson, Sergio Garcia, Anthony Kim and Adam Scott.

But whether a full 72-hole championship can still take place at the Champions of Champions event, which marks the start of the 2009 European Tour international schedule and lucrative Race to Dubai, remains to be seen.