THE Chinese government has a history of detaining dissidents, but putting the US Open golf trophy under lock and key sounds too bizarre to be true.

WHILE the future of the Mission Hills World Cup was assured behind closed doors, Rory McIlroy continued playing his Pied Piper role as he and Graeme McDowell put Ireland into a share of the lead with two rounds remaining on Hainan Island in China.

RORY McILROY arrived at the giant Mission Hills complex on Hainan Island to a welcome usually afforded a head of state.

Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell combined to blaze a brilliant 14-under-par 58 in today’s opening round fourballs at the Omega Mission Hills World Cup as Ireland opened up a commanding three shot lead over Argentina.

Argentina set the pace on the opening day of the Omega Mission Hills World Cup as Rafa Echenique and Tano Goya combined to post an 11-under-par 61 in the first round fourballs.