Welsh pair start well

Wales were making an excellent start on Thursday to the defence of their World Cup title in the opening round in Barbados.

Five birdies in the first eight holes in Thursday's left Wales duo Bradley Dredge and Stephen Dodd just two shots behind clubhouse leaders South Africa with six holes to play.

Dodd, who arrived in Barbados only on Tuesday evening, birdied the opening two holes - and after Dredge had picked up another shot on the third, he also birdied the fifth. Dredge then picked up another shot on the eighth to take his team to the turn in 31.

While Wales were in the last group out alongside hosts Barbados, the pace had been set first by Germany's Bernhard Langer and Marcel Siem - and then by South Africa's Rory Sabbatini and Richard Sterne, who birdied four of the last seven holes to record a 64.

Langer, who partnered Torsten Gideon to victory in 1990, will be eligible for the Seniors Tour next year but showed he could still compete with the younger generation.

The 49-year-old former Ryder Cup captain marked his first appearance in the event for a decade with five birdies, and Siem was quick to pay tribute to his 49-year-old team-mate.

"He played awesome(ly) today. His ball-striking is still much better than mine and showed me what I need to work on," said Siem.

"It was my first time playing 18 holes with Bernhard on Wednesday, and it's the most exciting Wednesday I've ever had."

Ireland, Scotland and England were all four shots off the lead approaching the end of their rounds.