Irish duo hit sizzling 58 to take World Cup lead

Rory McIlroy of Ireland (L) smiles with teammate Graeme McDowell on the 15th green during the first round of the World Cup golf tournament in Dongguan November 26, 2009.

SHENZHEN, China (Reuters) - Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell tore up the course with a 14-under-par 58 to give Ireland a three-stroke lead after the first-round fourballs at the 55th World Cup of Golf on Thursday.

Perfect scoring conditions at Mission Hills and the easier better-ball format led to a number of birdies and eagles throughout the field but the sensational round by the two Ulstermen was a class above their rivals.

Although a shot short of the World Cup fourballs record, it was enough for a comfortable cushion over second-placed Argentine duo Rafa Echenique and Tano Goya, who carded a 61.

World number 10 McIlroy drained a 20-foot eagle putt at the par-five 15th and was centimeters away from chipping in for another at the next hole before grabbing Ireland's 10th and 11th birdies of the day to take the outright lead.

McDowell did his bit for the cause too, contributing seven birdies in the blemish-free round, including four as the pair charged through the front nine at seven under and another with a 12-foot putt at the 18th.

"We got off to a great start today and just kept it going," said the 20-year-old McIlroy, who finished second in a close race for the European number one spot last week.

"We birdied a few holes where I'm sure not a lot of teams were birdying and no mistakes on the card. We had a look at two birdies most holes and most of the time we took one of them. It was great team play today."

The scores are likely to be higher in the more difficult foursomes on Friday but the duo look in good shape to claim Ireland's third World Cup and first since Padraig Harrington and Paul McGinley in 1997.

Echenique, runner-up at the BMW International Open in June, also eagled the 15th before giving Argentina the clubhouse lead by draining a 20-foot putt on the final green.

"I hit a great putt and I found the hole," said the 29-year-old. "I think it was a great day for us, (but) it's a long tournament, and (we) have to be quiet and try to go step by step."

The Argentines were matched for most of the day by their playing partners Ryuji Imada and Hiroyuki Fujita of Japan, who carded a 62 for third place ahead of defending champions Sweden, Italy, Canada and South Korea, who all shot 64s.

"I think we gelled really well, the holes that I struggled, he made pars or birdied and vice versa, and we got it to 10 under," said Imada.

World number eight Sergio Garcia had a day to forget with only three of his shots counting toward the 69 he and Gonzalo Fernandez Castano posted to give Spain a share of last place in the 28-team field.

(Editing by Patrick Johnston)