HSBC Champions playoff win moves Garcia to No. 2

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Sergio Garcia's victory in Shanghai was his third on three different continents in 2008. (Halleran/Getty Images)

SHANGHAI, China (AP) -- Sergio Garcia won the rain-delayed HSBC Champions on Monday to take the No. 2 spot in the world ranking behind Tiger Woods. Garcia beat Oliver Wilson with a birdie on the second hole of a playoff.

The Spanish star made a 7-foot birdie putt on the par-5 18th -- the only hole used for the playoff at Sheshan International Golf Club -- after the Englishman missed a 10-footer.

With victories this season in THE PLAYERS Championship on the PGA TOUR and his home-course Castellon Masters on the European Tour, Garcia's consistency has moved him up the rankings. He also has finished second or tied for second in three events this season.

"I'm just so proud to win, and well, No. 2 in the world," said Garcia, who earned $833,300. "So I'm very happy. It's a great week. The last seven months have been very, very positive since my win at THE PLAYERS."

Garcia forced the playoff by holing a 5-foot birdie on 18 to finish with a 4-under 68 and match Wilson at 14-under 274. Wilson, a surprise star for Europe in the Ryder Cup, reached the playoff by saving his par on 18 with a 7-footer for a 70.

Wilson was attempting to win his first European Tour title.

The finish moved Garcia into the No. 2 spot in the world rankings behind Tiger Woods, pushing Phil Mickelson to No. 3.

Mickelson, the 2007 HSBC champion, shot a 73 to tie for eighth in the $5 million tournament, five strokes behind the leaders.

Peter Hanson (66) and Geoff Ogilvy (70) finished a stroke off the lead, while Henrik Stenson (71) was three behind.

Garcia and Wilson were the survivors on the back nine, which saw four players -- Garcia, Wilson, Hanson and Ogilvy -- tied at 13 under over the closing holes.

All play was washed out Friday, and rain slowed the start on Saturday, which forced the Monday finish. Wilson played two holes of the final round on Sunday, and Garcia got in three before darkness stopped play.

This event is the first of the 2009 European Tour season, which will end next November in the Dubai World Championship. The European Tour also rebranded the Order of Merit -- the season money title -- and now calls it the Race to Dubai. That tournament will have a $10 million purse with $10 million more available in bonus money.

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