Freezing weather conditions in the US have forced local organisers to delay the start of this week's 51st annual Goodwill Golf Championships.

Many of the North American teams due to compete in the four-day tournament were unable to fly into the Island over the weekend because of delayed or cancelled flights.

And that left tournament director Alex Madeiros with no option but to postpone today's opening round.

As a result, the event will begin tomorrow and continue on Wednesday which had been set aside as a rest day.

The third and fourth rounds will be played, as scheduled, on Thursday and Friday.

A total of 96 teams registered for this year's championship, including defending champions St. Charles Country Club from Winnipeg in Canada.

Each team will compete at Mid Ocean Club, Tucker's Point, Port Royal and Belmont Hills, with the best-ball net aggregate total deciding the eventual winners.