We do like Mondays in Shanghai, says China chief

By Nick Mulvenney

SHANGHAI (Reuters) - China's golf chief Zhang Xiaoning said extending the rain-disrupted HSBC Champions to Monday signified the world's most populous country had arrived as a major force in international golf.

Wet weather washed out play Friday and delayed the start of the second round by three hours Saturday, forcing organizers of the $5 million tournament to schedule a fifth day.

"Monday play is an honor reserved for only the most important tournaments," said Zhang, secretary-general of the China Golf Association (CGA).

"It has proved we have one of the world's most important tournaments and it has proved Chinese golf has truly arrived on the world stage."

The 2005 Asian Open in Shanghai was also rain-disrupted and extended to Monday but China's golfing trailblazer Zhang Liangwei said the decision to extend this week's event was a "significant moment."

"I'm very proud for Chinese golf," said the 43-year-old, who was the first man from his country to play at one of golf's four majors, the 2004 U.S. Masters.

"At the start of my career there were almost no tournaments in China. Now we have an event that is treated with the respect normally given to the majors."

MICKELSON BACKING

Defending champion and world number two Phil Mickelson was one of several contenders for the title who backed the decision.

"This event is world class," he said. "The field is world class. The course is world class. World class events are 72 holes. The HSBC Champions is a 72-hole tournament. So you do the math."

Mickelson shot a two-under-par 70 Saturday to remain in the hunt for the title, two behind joint leaders Sergio Garcia and Henrik Stenson.

Australia's Geoff Ogilvy, who shares third place with Briton Oliver Wilson, claimed his only victory of the year at March's WGC-CA Championship which also ran to an extra day.

"You want to finish Sunday but if you can't then you finish Monday," said 2006 U.S. Open winner Ogilvy.

"If you are in contention then playing on a Monday is no big deal. The only tournament I played on a Monday this year I won so I like Monday finishes."

More than half the field had started their third round on Saturday and play will resume at 0730 local time (6:30 p.m. EDT) on Sunday. It is scheduled to finish "by lunchtime" Monday.