Another who would like to stake a claim to a place at the top table is Ireland’s Damien McGrane. McGrane is no stranger to Chinese rain. He will remember well the conditions in which he won the Volvo China Open in Beijing last April. Compared to the downpour, the cold, and the tempest he endured that day, today’s wretched weather was nothing more than a nuisance.

His 68 put him at 4-under, a couple of shots behind the leading pack but very much in the hunt. Having won his maiden tournament he need no longer feel like an interloper in this company, although it would be a major step up in class were he to take the trophy here

On a day of gloom, damp and chill, Damien did manage to warm the cockles of this Scottish heart on the par-3 17th by pulling playing partner Wen-teh Lu’s tee out of the ground, cleaning it, and re-using it. That must save him a bob or two over the course of a season, Surprisingly, though, he didn’t take it with him to the 18th.

Elsewhere on the course there were less happy stories. David Howell continued the battle to recover his form. The former winner – he took the trophy in 2006, struggled to a 79. Only one player finished behind him – Shaun Norris of South Africa, whose own horror story ended with a 16-over par 88. They will tee off tomorrow alongside the unorthodox and easy-going American Bryan Saltus, who qualified courtesy of his victory in the Cambodian Open last November.

Bryan can always be counted on to come up with something unexpected. As the weather dampened and conditions became trickier, most players were opting for a safe lay-up and a wedge to the green on the 290-yard par-4 16th. Bryan characteristically went for the pin with driver, and missed the target by only a few feet. Unfortunately, chipping from the rough left him with nothing better that a par. If the weather improves at all in later rounds, however, then many of the field will be joining him. We can look forward to some serious action around the flag – perhaps even an albatross hole-in-one?

Bryan and his playing partners, Felipe Aguilar and Wu Ashun, were party to the oddest of occurrences later in their round. Struggling to see in the gathering drizzle and gloom, they were obliged to allow no less than three groups behind them to play through. This hardly helped their own efforts – by the time they played the last you almost had to be within ‘gimme’ range to be able to see the flag. Not surprising that all three players bogeyed.

One of the most important aspects of this tournament is that it represents HSBC’s commitment to the top end of golf in China, but their commitment is matched by support at the bottom end through the HSBC China Junior Golf Program. The program provides funding, structure and competition for the new generations of youngsters taking up golf in China, and is certain to pay dividends in the future.

As one of the world’s great golfers, Phil Mickelson, responded to a questioner: “I like to play and compete, and I want to beat these new young Chinese golfers, not coach them. But I do want to see the game of golf continue to grow in China, and I do want to see more junior golfers participate…”

As the HSBC China Junior Golf Programme begins to bear fruit, Phil is sure to see his wish granted.

(China.org.cn by David Ferguson November 7, 2008)