Americans Boo Weekley and Heath Slocum justified their World Cup
selection by sharing seven birdies and two eagles for a one-stroke
lead after the opening fourballs in Shenzhen yesterday.
Despite being a long way from home for the Thanksgiving holiday,
the childhood friends showed their pride in playing for their
country with a flawless 11-under 61 to stand a shot better off than
defending champion Germany.
Germans Alex Cejka and Martin Kaymer sprinkled 10 birdies in
their 62 and have a one-stroke lead over pre-tournament favorite
England and South Africa as well as Wales, Scotland, Thailand and
Finland, all on nine under.
Chinese pair Liang Wenchong and Zhang Lianwei were at 66.
"This is like our Olympics, this is just a dream for me," said
Weekley, who did the lion's share of the damage to the Jose Maria
Olazabal-designed course with a six birdies and an eagle.
"I wish I was back home with my family but it's such a real
honor to represent the US here in China."
Weekley, ranked 43rd in the world, made a great start with a
birdie at the first hole and Slocum took up the baton with a
25-foot putt for an eagle three at the third.
Three birdies from Weekley around the turn moved them further up
the leaderboard but it was his eagle two courtesy of a 185-yard six
iron at the 12th which really fired their round.
"It was a really good day for us, I enjoyed watching Boo play
today ... I was cheering for him a lot," said world No. 70
Slocum.
Weekley charmed Chinese journalists with his broad, southern
drawl. This is his first visit to the country, and one of few
outside the United States. He said he missed being away for the
traditional American holiday of Thanksgiving and would probably be
deer hunting this weekend if he weren't in China playing golf.
Asked what he knew about China, Weekley replied: "Not much.
Rice. Oh yeah, I knew the Great Wall of China but I thought it was
closer."
"We ain't been able to do nothing," he added. "We go straight to
the motel and straight here, but I know the people here are
friendly. It's very nice. They always say 'hey,' so polite and
stuff. That's always a plus when you show up somewhere in a foreign
country."
Weekley dismissed the suggestion of a controversy over their
selection for the US, which has won 23 World Cups.
"I thought they sent the best team," he said.
Ian Poulter snared two eagles as he and Justin Rose stayed in
the hunt for England, while Retief Goosen gave all the credit for
South Africa's nine-under 63 to partner Trevor Immelman.
"Trevor played extremely well today," said the twice US Open
champion. "I was chopping trees out there on a few of the
holes."
Stephen Dodd, a World Cup winner with partner Bradley Dredge two
years ago, overcame the lingering effects of a migraine to fire the
Welsh challenge and Finn Pasi Purhonen came out of retirement to
help Mikko Ilonen to another 63.
Friday will feature alternate shot action before the format
switches back to fourballs on Saturday and then to foursomes again
on the final day.
(Shanghai Daily via Agencies November 23, 2007)
