SHENZHEN, China — Maybe the United States doesn’t need Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson to win the World Cup of Golf. Two players out of the same high school in the Florida Panhandle are doing just fine.
That would be Boo Weekley and Heath Slocum.
They combined for an 11-under 61 in best-ball play Thursday to take a one-stroke lead over Germany’s Alex Cejka and Martin Kaymer.
Finland, Wales, Scotland, South Africa, Thailand and England were two shots back.
Weekley turned it on with six birdies and an eagle — and a Southern drawl that made him seem farther from home on Thanksgiving than simply an 8,000-mile flight.
“It’s a culture shock for me to be able to come out and see different things, because I’m a home boy,” Weekley said. “I like to stay right around the house in the States.”
Weekley, No. 43 in the world, was picked to represent the United States in the 28-team event after 13 other higher-ranked Americans turned down the invitation. In turn, he picked the 70th-ranked Slocum, his friend from Milton High School at the western tip of the Florida Panhandle.
“I think I was up in a tree deer hunting when I got the call,” Weekley recalled. “I was teary-eyed because it was awesome To us, this is like our Olympics. To know I can come over and represent the United States, that’s a plus for me.”
The teams will play an alternate-shot round today, another best-ball round Saturday and then close with alternate shot Sunday on the Olazabal Course — one of 12 courses at the world’s largest golf complex.
Both Slocum and Weekley had eagles. Slocum got his on No. 3, dropping a 25-foot putt. Weekley got his on the par-4 12th when his 6-iron found the hole from 185 yards.
They should prepare for celebrations in Milton if they win the $5 million event, worth $800,000 to each team member.
“They are obviously very proud of both of us for getting to represent, not only the United States, but we’re representing the panhandle of Florida, Milton and Pensacola,” Slocum said.
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.”
Irishman makes move at Australian Masters. Rory McIlroy is fast proving he’s no regular rookie.
The Northern Ireland teenager, playing only his sixth professional tournament, was among the Australian Masters leaders after another strong round in Melbourne.
McIlroy, who had an impressive opening round at this year’s British Open and finished as low amateur, shot a 2-under 70 on the Huntingdale course.
He made birdies on Nos. 5, 6 and 7 before dropping a shot on the par-4 ninth. The wind intensified as the afternoon wore on and McIlroy was content to shoot a blemish-free back nine to stay in contention, three strokes behind leader Robert Allenby.
“It got really windy at the end and was pretty hard to control your ball flight,” McIlroy said. “I made good up-and-downs to stay in there. I’m still in the top 15 so I’m pretty happy with how the day went.”
McIlroy first gained international attention as an amateur in July in the British Open when he shot an opening 3-under 68 to share third place. He was the only player not to make bogey in the first round and went on to tie for 42nd at 5-over.
McIlroy turned professional in September on the eve of the British Masters, and finishing third at the Dunhill Links in October. He earned enough money to secure his tour card for 2008 when he tied for fourth in the Madrid.
McIlroy looked at ease, and displayed that composure at the par-3 12th when he blasted out from a bunker to within a foot of the pin, to save par.
