Australia grabs early lead in Mission Hills World Cup of Golf: Live Leaderboard
Australia has now soared as the undisputed leader in the first round of the glamorous Omega Mission Hills World Cup of Golf while the first round proceedings are still underway. Australian pair Richard Green and Brendan Jones started off the day with blistering birdies on the front nine in the Four-Ball format of the first day. The duo made the turn to card two stunning eagles at par-five, 12th and par-four, 16th, alongside three more birdies to finish off for a whooping 11-under.
Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee and Kiradech Aphibarnrat also started in a sizzling fashion, relying mostly on their experience around the lengthy Mission Hills course and pulled in three birdies before making the turn. They were able to card three more in the back nine to settle for joint eighth for the moment.
Brazilian duo Adilson Da Silva and Lucas Lee appeared to be doing everything right with their four bogeys at the front nine but succumbed to a terrible bogey to fall out of contention. Frenchmen Gregory Bourdy and Raphael Jacquelin are still playing for the closing holes on the back nine and were able to score seven-under so far to stay in contention for the second spot alongside Spain, Denmark, Columbia, US and Netherlands.
Matt Kuchar and Gary Woodland, representing the US, pulled in impressive play at the start of the day, carding no fewer than eight birdies and dropping one shot at par-four, 7th. They still have to play for the remaining two holes of the first round.
The inaugural ceremony held the previous day, turned out to be a spectacular show of Chinese culture and art and marked one of the most awe inspiring ceremonies for the year. The ceremony started off with traditional Chinese dancers followed by short speeches by the tournament director and the defending duo Edoardo Molinari and Francesco Molinari of Italy.
European Tour Chief Executive George O’Grady said: “Congratulations to all 28 nations here today. The diversity of this field is testament to John Jay Hopkins, who founded the tournament, and we wish them all the very best of luck this week.”
The ceremony concluded with a breathtaking fireworks display around the scenic city of Hainan island.
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