American Matt Kuchar was clearly intent on a successful defence of the ISPS HANDA World Cup of Golf as the first round began at Royal Melbourne.
The World Number Seven, second to Adam Scott on this course in last week’s Talisker Masters, won with Gary Woodland in 2011 in the old foursomes and fourballs format.
This year’s competition has been rejuvenated to a 72-hole strokeplay contest, with both individual and team prizes, and by racing to four under par through eight holes Kuchar gave the USA a great start in both.
The Ryder Cup star birdied his first two holes, struck a glorious tee shot to a foot at the fifth, then splashed out a bunker to two feet at the driveable sixth.
Kuchar was a shot ahead of Wales’ Stuart Manley, who was clearly riding high from taking the tenth card at The European Tour Qualifying School in Girona last week.
Manley, ineligible for the team prize after Jamie Donaldson withdrew, reached three under par through 13 holes.
In-form Frenchman Victor Dubuisson, Scot Martin Laird and England’s Danny Willett were amongst those on two under, while Korea led the team competition with both K J Choi and Bae Sang-moon on the same mark.
