SHANGHAI - SERGIO Garcia defeated Oliver Wilson to win the HSBC Champions tournament on the second hole of a sudden-death playoff Monday, a victory that lifted the Spaniard to No. 2 in the world rankings behind Tiger Woods.

Garcia sunk a 7-foot birdie putt on the 18th green - the only hole used for the playoff at the Sheshan Golf Club - after the Englishman missed a 10-foot attempt at birdie.

Garcia forced the playoff by draining a 5-foot birdie on 18 to finish with a 4-under 68. Wilson, a surprise star for Europe in the Ryder Cup, reached the playoff by saving his par on 18 with a 7-footer for final-round 70.

Wilson was attempting to win his first European tour event.

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

Defending champion Mickelson struggled to a 73 on Monday and finished tied for eighth in the US$5 million (S$7.41 million) tournament, five strokes behind the leaders.

Peter Hanson of Sweden (66) and Geoff Ogilvy of Australia (70) finished a stroke off the lead, while Henrik Stenson of Sweden (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 on 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.

With victories this season in The Players Championship and his home-course Castellon Masters, Garcia's consistency has moved him up the rankings. He's also finished second or tied for second in three events this season in the US and Europe.

This event is the first of the 2009 European tour season, which will end next November in the Dubai World Championship.

The European tour has also rebranded the Order of Merit - the season money title - and now calls it the Race to Dubai. That tournament will have a US$10 million purse with US$10 million more available in bonus money.

The HSBC featured 10 of the world's top-20 ranked players, and there are suggestions the tournament should be upgraded to a World Golf Championships event. All three of those events are now player in the United States. -- AP