The South African duo of George Coetzee and Jaco van Zyl battled to find each other’s rhythm in the day-one foursomes at the World Cup of Golf and shot 76.
They made one birdie all day, added five bogeys, and made the clubhouse in 25th place on four over par, seven shots behind the leaders.
Top spot was held by Spaniards Rafa Cabrera-Bello and John Rahm, who managed an eagle at the eighth hole during their round of three-under-par 69.
Their two birdies on a flawless back nine earned a one-shot advantage over France’s Victor Dubuisson and Romain Langasque, China’s Li Haotong and Wu Ashen, and America’s Jimmy Walker and Rickie Fowler.
‘We didn’t come down here to play for second. That [win] would make the trip worthwhile,’ said Fowler.
Englishmen Chris Wood and Andy Sullivan shared fifth place alongside Italians Francesco Molinari and Matteo Manassero, with both teams on one under par.
The Australian team of Adam Scott and Marc Leishman are favourites for the week in Melbourne, but struggled around in 74.
‘We had no momentum today but in these conditions, it’s about as hard as it gets playing foursomes in blustery conditions around a tricky course,’ said Scott.
1. #TeamESP??
T2. #TeamUSA??
T2. #TeamCHN??
T2. #TeamFRA??
T5. #TeamITL??
T5. #TeamENG??What a start to the #WorldCupofGolf. pic.twitter.com/nXIjrgmbb3
— World Cup of Golf (@WorldCupGolf) November 24, 2016
