Golf: Scots hopes all but over as they sit joint last in China

Published on Thursday 26 November 2009 08:37

SCOTLAND'S David Drysdale and Alastair Forsyth were lying joint last on three-under-par 69 after completing their first round in the Omega Mission Hills World Cup in China today.

They are eleven shots behind Irish duo Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell who set the pace with a scintillating 14-under 58 which included twelve birdies and an eagle.

Argentina's Rafa Echenique and Tano Goya are in second place after an 11-under 61 in the opening fourballs. As the opening day neared its conclusion, that left Drysdale, making his debut in the event, and Forsyth, flying the World Cup flag for Scotland for the fifth time, lying joint-25th alongside Chile, Pakistan and, most surprisingly of all, the Spanish duo of Sergio Garcia and Gonzalo Fernandez-Castao.

The Scots were out in 34, two-under, before starting home with back-to-back birdies at the tenth and 11th. However, they covered the last six holes in one-over, dropping a shot at the last, to leave themselves with a mountain to climb to get back into contention over the next three days.

Echenique dominated the bogey-free partnership for Argentina with an eagle at the heavily bunkered 15th and a fourth birdie of the day at the last following a 20-foot putt to open up a one-stroke lead over third-place Japan and keep the Irish in their sights.

Japan's Hiroyuki Fujita and Ryuji Imada carded an opening round 10-under 62 in the better ball format, which often leads to high scoring, over the undulating Olazabal Course at Mission Hills.

Brothers Francesco and Edoardo Molinari were in the clubhouse at eight-under-par for Italy, while defending champions Sweden and Korea were also on that mark as they neared the finish.

Denmark, Singapore, England, Germany and Wales are all on six under.