Orlando, Florida.

Kim Swan fired a four-over-par 76 and Dwayne Pearman a 78. Their total of 154 leaves them 17 strokes behind leaders and defending champions United States.

Holland stand two strokes ahead of Bermuda and the local pair will be looking to leapfrog a few positions when play resumes today.

Individually, Swan is in a five-way tie for 44th, while Pearman and three others occupy the 51st position.

But it could have been much better as both carded two double bogeys in three-putt situations.

"We both played a lot of solid holes but didn't make the putts,'' said Swan.

"I feel we can shoot par tomorrow. A place in the top 20 is what we are shooting for.'' Fred Couples scored the first double eagle of his life to help United States to a three-stroke lead after the first round.

Couples shot a six-under-par 66 -- matching the lowest round of the day -- while partner Davis Love contributed a 71 to give the Americans a 137 total and a three-shot advantage over South Africa and France.

Early favourites Zimbabwe were another stroke back at 141, just ahead of Australia and Wales.

Ireland, Germany, Scotland and Sweden were all at 143 in the two-man team competition among 32 nations. Denmark withdrew after Anders Sorensen suffered a wrist injury.

Frenchman Jean Van de Velde also shot 66 to propel France into second place along with South Africa. Marc Antoine Farry's 74 kept the French team from first place.

Ernie Els shot 69 and Retief Goosen posted a 71 for South Africa.

Nick Price, an Orlando resident and a member of the host Lake Nona Golf Club, could manage only a 70 on his home course. Partner Mark McNulty added a 71 for Zimbabwe.

Ian Woosnam, who has won the individual title twice in this 40-year-old international event, struggled to a 74 while Mark Mouland starred for Wales with a 68.

Australians Rodger Davis and Robert Allenby got off to a great start but both faltered on the back nine. Davis shot 70 and Allenby matched par 72.

Conditions at the 7,011-yard Lake Nona course were perfect but play was extremely slow. It took many groups more than six hours to complete 18 holes.

Mouland's 68 was matched by Sam Torrance of Scotland and Rodolfo Cazaubon of Mexico, but their team-mates did not fare as well on a warm, sunny day with just some light wind.

In addition to the $260,000 for the winning team, the players were also competing for a $75,000 prize for the low individual score.

Scot Colin Montgomerie, who won the European Order of Merit with his victory in last week's season-ending Volvo Masters, struggled to a 75.

He had said on Wednesday that he was afraid he would suffer a letdown after overtaking Nick Faldo as Europe's leading money winner.

David Gilford, a last-minute replacement for the injured Faldo, shot 69 for England, but Mark James went four over on the back nine for a 76.

Bernhard Langer, who almost withdrew after his infant daughter was burned in an accident on Wednesday, also shot 69, but German partner Sven Struver carded a 74.