Organisers of the Volvo China Open international qualifying event will be looking anxiously for blue skies this morning after thick fog wiped out most of yesterday's practice round at the Discovery Bay Golf Club.
Combined with a howling gale, the unusual weather conditions on Lantau forced the suspension of practice at 10am after visibility was reduced to 30 metres. It did not resume until the fog lifted at 3pm.
'We're hoping play can proceed as planned, but if the fog comes back and prevents the round being finished on schedule we might see the event concluded over 18 holes,' said Alistair Polson, executive director of organisers Richtone Worldwide.
The two-day event is the first of four qualifying tournaments that will see 13 players win through to the US$2.2 million China Open, which will be played at the Beijing CBD International Golf Club in April.
Most of the 80-strong field were left kicking their heels yesterday, but South Korean prospect Noh Seung-yul said the lack of practice would not hamper his quest for victory.
Last week, the 16-year-old from Gangwondo finished joint runner-up in his first professional event, the US$400,000 Sail Open in India.