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Ian Poulter and Justin Rose say they will use the disappointment of the England football team's failure as motivation to bring some good news to the nation at the golf World Cup in China this week.

Rose is 7/1 to win the forthcoming Nedbank Challenge with Bodog.

The pair, who are best friends, started superblywith a first-round nine-under-par 63. They are just two strokes behind leaders Boo Weekley and Heath Slocum of the USA.

"It was a little disappointing when you wake up in the morning in anticipation (of England's result) to get to the laptop and find out they had lost," said Poulter. "We hope we can put things right by the end of the week."

Defending champs Germany claimed sole possession of second place, as Alex Cejka and Martin Kaymer carded an overall 62. Both golfers are great iron players but struggle witn a putter in hand.

Scotland's Colin Montgomerie and Marc Warren - losers in a play-off to Germany last year - combined to card a solid first-round score.

A solid effort on the front nine - Warren made two birdies, Monty made three - shot them up the leaderboard. Then a combined total of four under on the back nine to book their place near the top of the leaderboard.

"We did well," said Montgomerie. "We got off to a good start, which is important in fourball."

Wales pair Bradley Dredge and Stephen Dodd (2005 winners in Portugal) joined Scotland and England on nine under. It would of course be their World Cup victory in two years. They combined to card an eagle and eight birdies but dropped a shot.