Americans Boo Weekley and Heath Slocum justified their World Cup selection by sharing seven birdies and two eagles for a one-stroke lead after the opening fourballs in Shenzhen yesterday.

Despite being a long way from home for the Thanksgiving holiday, the childhood friends showed their pride in playing for their country with a flawless 11-under 61 to stand a shot better off than defending champion Germany.

Germans Alex Cejka and Martin Kaymer sprinkled 10 birdies in their 62 and have a one-stroke lead over pre-tournament favorite England and South Africa as well as Wales, Scotland, Thailand and Finland, all on nine under.

Chinese pair Liang Wenchong and Zhang Lianwei were at 66.

"This is like our Olympics, this is just a dream for me," said Weekley, who did the lion's share of the damage to the Jose Maria Olazabal-designed course with a six birdies and an eagle.

"I wish I was back home with my family but it's such a real honor to represent the US here in China."

Weekley, ranked 43rd in the world, made a great start with a birdie at the first hole and Slocum took up the baton with a 25-foot putt for an eagle three at the third.

Three birdies from Weekley around the turn moved them further up the leaderboard but it was his eagle two courtesy of a 185-yard six iron at the 12th which really fired their round.

"It was a really good day for us, I enjoyed watching Boo play today ... I was cheering for him a lot," said world No. 70 Slocum.

Weekley charmed Chinese journalists with his broad, southern drawl. This is his first visit to the country, and one of few outside the United States. He said he missed being away for the traditional American holiday of Thanksgiving and would probably be deer hunting this weekend if he weren't in China playing golf.

Asked what he knew about China, Weekley replied: "Not much. Rice. Oh yeah, I knew the Great Wall of China but I thought it was closer."

"We ain't been able to do nothing," he added. "We go straight to the motel and straight here, but I know the people here are friendly. It's very nice. They always say 'hey,' so polite and stuff. That's always a plus when you show up somewhere in a foreign country."

Weekley dismissed the suggestion of a controversy over their selection for the US, which has won 23 World Cups.

"I thought they sent the best team," he said.

Ian Poulter snared two eagles as he and Justin Rose stayed in the hunt for England, while Retief Goosen gave all the credit for South Africa's nine-under 63 to partner Trevor Immelman.

"Trevor played extremely well today," said the twice US Open champion. "I was chopping trees out there on a few of the holes."

Stephen Dodd, a World Cup winner with partner Bradley Dredge two years ago, overcame the lingering effects of a migraine to fire the Welsh challenge and Finn Pasi Purhonen came out of retirement to help Mikko Ilonen to another 63.

Friday will feature alternate shot action before the format switches back to fourballs on Saturday and then to foursomes again on the final day.

(Shanghai Daily via Agencies November 23, 2007)