Oliver Wilson maintained his bid for a maiden career title - and his one-stroke lead over former US Open champion Geoff Ogilvy - at the rain-affected HSBC Champions event which will now finish on Monday. The rain-affected tournament did manage to gets its fourth round under way in Shanghai today, but there was never going to be time to complete it.

The 28-year-old Wilson had earlier carded a third round of 69 to move to the top of the leaderboard. He then played two holes of his final round in level par to remain 12 under before bad light brought a halt to play.

The €5million event will be completed tomorrow morning.

Australian Ogilvy had followed up a second-round 65 with a third-round 70 in windy conditions and also played his two holes in level par after one bogey and one birdie.

Defending champion Phil Mickelson, who completes the final group alongside Wilson and Ogilvy, is two off the lead on 10 under alongside Sergio Garcia.

Mickelson looked to be heading for a bogey at the second after slicing his second shot at the short par-five into the water, but made a 15-foot putt for par.

Henrik Stenson slipped back to nine under after four-putting the third green in fading light moments after the hooter signalled the end of play.

Wilson is playing the event courtesy of his Order of Merit ranking after finishing runner-up four times in 2008, including losing a play-off to Miguel Angel Jimenez in the BMW PGA Championship.

After making a straightforward par at the first, Wilson saved par at the second after finding sand off the tee and the leading trio all have birdie chances on the third green waiting for them on Monday morning.

"It didn't do any harm playing the few holes, it was nice and steady," said Wilson.

"I hit one bad shot at the second which cost me a birdie, but I have a birdie chance at three from 10-12 feet.

"I had the option to putt out. We had teed off and then they blew (the hooter) but we wanted to hit the shot in as the wind was calm and we were in the flow.

"But it was getting a little too dark to putt and I didn't want to miss it and be thinking about that overnight. I have something to get me going early on in the morning."

Graeme McDowell slipped back down the leaderboard after a 76 in his third round but still led the Irish challenge on six under with five holes played in his fourth round.

Pádraig Harrington and Peter Lawrie were five-under-par having played seven and six respectively in their fourth round, while Damien McGrane was a shot behind them.

Darren Clarke was seven over with eight to play.

Earlier, world number three Anthony Kim was disqualified during his third round after using a damaged driver.

The 23-year-old American Ryder Cup star caught the club on a sprinkler head while walking down the seventh fairway at Sheshan International Golf Club but proceeded to use it off the eighth tee.

Any player who damages a club other than during normal play and subsequently uses it or replaces it is disqualified.