Stenson has wind in his sails

Strong winds and driving rain were not what Ryder Cup star Henrik Stenson had in mind for the World Cup in Barbados, but the leaderboard threw up few surprises after the opening round.

Stenson and Carl Pettersson fired a seven-under-par 64 to share the lead with South Africa and Argentina after Thursday’s fourballs at Sandy Lane.

And defending champions Wales, the United States and pre-tournament favourites England were also well in contention going into today’s foursomes, with Ireland and Scotland just three off the lead on four under par.

“We started off and it was hosing it down, then on the second tee when the sun came out we were melting, and on the third hole it started raining again and we had to take cover!” said Stenson.

“I was expecting a little bit better weather in Barbados. The picture I had in mind – you play a good round of golf and then hang out for an hour or two in the afternoon on the beach.

“Still, there are worse places to be than Barbados and it’s an enjoyable week this late in the season. Everybody’s running on fumes in the tank now and I don’t think there are too many guys practising too hard.”

The Welsh pair of Stephen Dodd and Bradley Dredge, surprise winners in Portugal last year when the final round was cancelled due to bad weather, carded an opening 65 after racing to the turn in 31.

“We are a little disappointed because we had a few chances on the back nine but on the whole we're satisfied with the day’s play,” said Dodd, who was grateful for the rain when his approach to the fourth bounced off a spectator’s umbrella and onto the green.

“The front nine is where you’re going to make your score, the back nine plays much harder.”

England’s Luke Donald and David Howell, second behind Wales 12 months ago, were only one under par after 10 holes before a late rush sparked by Howell’s brilliant approach to within inches of the hole on the 11th.

“We played some okay stuff on the front nine but didn’t hole any putts and never really got any momentum,” Howell said.

“Then I hit it stiff on the 11th and that gave us some impetus. Our job today was to stay in touch with the leaders and we’ve done that.”

Ireland's Paul McGinley felt he and Ryder Cup team-mate Padraig Harrington “left a few shots out on the course”, but could be forgiven for not making birdie at the sixth.

The 1997 winners played the 521-yard par five at the height of one of the squalls passing over the course and McGinley revealed: “We both hit our drives as well as possible and they went 190 yards!

“I hit driver, three-wood and then six-iron to the green. We had two birdies each, which isn’t enough in fourballs, but at least we are in touching distance after a good birdie on the 18th from Padraig.”

Harrington added: “Over 72 holes it should even out so hopefully we are due to make a few putts. We have to be patient but I’d prefer to have one of our good days in the foursomes, that can make a huge difference.”

European Tour rookie of the year Marc Warren was satisfied with his performance alongside Colin Montgomerie, who won the same Henry Cotton award some 18 years earlier.

“It was awesome playing with Colin,” said Warren, winner of the Scandinavian Masters earlier this year. “You are not exactly relying on him but you’re so confident he is going to be there and hitting good shots all the time.

“He hit an unbelievable iron shot to within a foot on the 17th when we were aware that we’d got stuck with seven pars in a row.

“We didn’t make a single bogey, which was one of our aims for the day, and we both played very solidly out there, so hopefully the foursomes will suit us a bit.”