WORLD CUP FIREWORKS... but not from Scotland

Irish eyes are smiling as McDowell and McIlroy

return a better-ball score of 14-under-par 58

By MICHAEL GIBBONS, Deputy chief European Tour Press Officer
Graeme McDowell and Rory McIlroy fully justified their pre-tournament favourite status on the opening day of the Omega Mission Hills World Cup with a sensational better-ball score of 14 under par 58 over the Olazábal Course at Mission Hills Golf Club in China.
That remarkable effort, including an eagle and 12 birdies, saw Team Ireland soar into a three-stroke lead over Argentina, with Japan a further stroke back on ten under par in third position.
Italy, Canada, Korea and defending champions Sweden share fourth place after opening scores of eight under 64, while host nation China produced a seven under 65 to share eighth place with South Africa.
But day one of the 55th World Cup belonged to Ireland, who made a near-perfect start to their bid to be crowned World Champions.
“I think 58 is the best score I've ever had,” smiled McIlroy, with McDowell in instant agreement.
McIlroy continued: “We got off to a great start today and we birdied the holes that we knew we had to on the front nine. We had a chance of two birdies most holes and most of the time we took one of them. It was great team play today, and we never really put each other under pressure. I think that showed in the way the scores went.”
McDowell was quick to point out that Ireland will not get carried away with their sensational start, with Friday’s alternate-shot foursome format bringing a totally different challenge.
“Today is a good start but that's all it is and we are very aware of that. Obviously foursomes is a tougher format and we have to get our strategy right.”
The Argentinean duo of Rafa Echenique and Tano Goya were delighted with their opening round of 61 that saw them occupy second place.
“I feel very confident today playing with Rafa,” said Goya. “He putted really good at the end of the round and we were pretty solid today. The times he was in trouble, I was there and the times I was in trouble, he was there. That's the good thing about the fourball – but it's important for one to make a really good hole. I think tomorrow is a different spirit in foursomes. It will be my first time playing with Rafa in foursomes so I'm going to enjoy it as much as I can.”
The Molinari brothers continued their fine form, to move Italy into third place behind Japan.
“I think he probably played better than me today,” admitted Francesco. “He holed more putts but it's a long tournament and we both need to be at our best to try and compete. But it's the first time that we are in a good position after the first round, so it's a nice change compared to the last couple of years.
“Playing with your brother is definitely an advantage because obviously we know each other really well, and we know each other's game really well. So we know what to expect and we know the strength and weaknesses of each other. Maybe even, you know, with your brother, you have much more confidence than with anybody else, so it makes it a bit easier.”
SCOTSWATCH: It was not a good start by the Scotland pair. David Drysdale, making his debut in the event, and Alastair Forsyth, flying the World Cup flag for Scotland for the fifth time, will start the second day in joint-25th place alongside Chile, Pakistan and, most surprisingly of all, the talented Spanish pair, Sergio Garcia and Gonzalo Fernandez-Castaño.
The Scots reached the turn in two-under-par 34, before picking up birdies at the 10th and 11th to move to four under the card. That could have been the platform for a "decent" better-ball score ... but it wasn't.
Drysdale and Forsyth covered the last six holes in one over par, dreadful scoring for better-ball golf at this level. They were not able to get a single birdie down the home straight and the best they could do at the last was a better-ball bogey at the last.