SPAIN edged ahead on the opening day of the 2016 World Cup of Golf in an opening round that saw the tricky Kingston Heath layout, blustery conditions and the alternate stroke format keep many of the teams in check.
Jon Rahm and Cabrera Bello birdied the last to move to 3-over to take a one stroke lead over early leaders France, China and the US.
Australia’s team of Adam Scott and Marc Leishman didn’t have the best of days but as Leishman helpfully pointed out afterwards as things got a little too sombre at a greenside media conference: “At least we still have our health.”
Scott said at 2-over they weren’t that far behind the lead (which he thought was 2-under at the time) and there was plenty of tournament left.
They were among a number of teams hoping to do better with the more popular fourball format in play on Friday.
The fourball Friday will be a seeded start with Scotland’s team of Russell Knox and Duncan Stewart (who had a dispiriting first round 6-over) teeing off with The Philippines (Miquel Tabuena and Angelo Que, 5-over) at the earlier time of 8.28am.
