New Zealand early clubhouse leaders
as World Cup starts in China

FROM THE EUROPEAN TOUR WEBSITE
Mark Brown and David Smail ensured New Zealand took the clubhouse lead midway through the opening round of the Omega Mission Hills World Cup in China.
Brown shot four birdies while playing partner Smail weighed in with three on the Olazabal course at Mission Hills Golf Club to ensure New Zealand completed their round at seven under par 65. The opening round is in four-ball, better-ball format with the four rounds alternating between this and the more difficult foursomes.
“If you take the attitude of trying to enjoy it, then we should be okay,” said Brown. “Tomorrow’s foursomes will give us a better indication of where we are sitting.”
Looking on course to dislodge them at the top of the leaderboard, however, were Germany who were nine under through 14 holes.
Martin Kaymer, a two time winner on The European Tour last season, started with aplomb as he shot three successive birdies from the first.
Playing partner Alex Cejka added another on the fourth before Kaymer hit an eagle 3 at the seventh and a birdie at the ninth to put Germany at seven under at the turn.
Kaymer immediately added another shot before Cejka birdied the par-5 11th to put Germany in a strong position heading into their last few holes.
Australia were enjoying a profitable run coming home and were eight under through 17.
Richard Green hit a birdie on the third while Brendan Jones added shots on the seventh and ninth to reach the turn at three under before the pair combined to add five birdies from seven holes.
Ireland's Graeme McDowell and Paul McGinley were making a solid charge up the leaderboard and were seven under through 12.
The pair picked up two birdies apiece heading out to reach the turn four under before McDowell hit an eagle three at the 11th and added another shot on the 12th.
England recovered from a disappointing start and were four under through 12.
Ian Poulter hit a bogey at the par-5 third but immediately wiped it out with a birdie at the fourth.
Ross Fisher picked up a shot on the seventh and Poulter carded three successive birdies from the ninth to move England up the leaderboard.
Defending champions Scotland, who were in the last group to tee off, were three under through nine with Colin Montgomerie and Alastair Forsyth carding two and one birdies respectively.
SCOREBOARD TO COME