Heavy rain washes out day two in Shanghai

SHANGHAI (Reuters) - Heavy rain washed out play on the second day of the HSBC Champions at the Sheshan International Golf Club on Friday, raising the prospect of the $5 million tournament spilling into next week.

Organizers had delayed the start of play in the second round several times before continuing rainfall caused the abandonment at 1350 local time (0550 GMT).

Weather permitting, the players will be back on the course at 0645 (2245 GMT) on Saturday to start the second round and organizers hope they can complete half of the third round as well.

"Our prime objective and our current intention is to complete 72 holes in the HSBC Champions," European Tour tournament director David Probyn said in a statement.

"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."

More rain and fog is forecast for early on Saturday but wind is expected to clear the skies later in the day.

Swede Henrik Stenson led on six-under-par after the first round with Phil Mickelson and Sergio Garcia, who are battling it out for second place in the world rankings, among four players a stroke behind.

The Champions, Asia's joint richest event, is co-sanctioned by the European and Asian Tours, the PGA Tour of Australasia, South Africa's Sunshine Tour and the China Golf Association.

(Reporting by Nick Mulvenney; Editing by Peter Rutherford)