Scotland and Wales on the rise in World Cup standings

Scotland and Wales joined a congested group at the top of the Omega Mission Hills World Cup leaderboard as the opening round headed towards a close today.

The duo both enjoyed impressive runs on the Olazabal course at the Mission Hills Golf Club to card a nine-under-par 63 and join five others at the top.

England’s Ian Poulter and Justin Rose have the chance to join and even surpass them as they were eight under going onto the 18th.

Scotland’s Colin Montgomerie and Marc Warren once again combined to card an impressive first-round score at the World Cup.

Last year the duo shot a 67 on the opening day in Barbados before losing out in the final round in a play-off against Germany.

This time, a good run on the front nine in which Warren carded two birdies to Montgomerie’s three propelled them up the leaderboard before a combined total of four coming home cemented their place among the clubhouse leaders.

Wales’ Bradley Dredge and Stephen Dodd also made the ideal start as they look to secure a second World Cup victory in two years.

Dodd holed two birdies going out on the short par-three second and the eighth while Dredge contributed with birdies on the third and seventh and an eagle on the 573-yard par-five ninth to ensure Wales reached the turn at six under.

Dredge added just one more birdie coming home on the 14th and while Dodd, who had been suffering from illness in the build-up to the event, initially struggled, bogeying the demanding 13th, he finished well with three birdies in the last four holes including one on the tricky par-four 18th.

“I played nicely towards the end so it was a good way to finish it,” said Dodd.

“It is a satisfying day because we had a bit of a ropey three or four holes at the start of the back nine. It was a good way to cap the day.”

Retief Goosen and Trevor Immelman, who have both tasted success in previous incarnations of the tournament – though with different playing partners – were also in the clubhouse at nine under.

Joining them were Finland, who had set the nine-under benchmark for the rest having teed off first in the morning, and Thailand while the United States and Austria were also on nine under but with holes still left to play.

Ireland are tied for 18th on six under par.