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SHENZHEN, China - Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell shot a better-ball 58 on Thursday to give Ireland a three-stroke lead over Argentina after the first round of the World Cup of Golf on Thursday.

Argentina's Tano Goya and Rafael Echenique were at 11-under 61, with Japan another shot behind.

Canadians Graham Delaet and Stuart Anderson recorded a 8-under 64 to stand in a tie for fourth with defending champion Sweden, Italy and South Korea in the US$5.5-million tournament at the Mission Hills Golf Club.

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England's Ian Poulter and Ross Fisher finished eight strokes back with a 6-under 66.

The U.S. pair of Nick Watney and John Merrick was tied for 15th at 5-under 67 after four birdies by Watney.

Friday's second round will be alternate-shot, as will Sunday, while Saturday will be better-ball again.

Aiming to win Ireland's third World Cup, McDowell and McIlroy each birdied six holes on the 7,251-yard course. McIlroy eagled the par-5 15th hole.

"We got off to a great start today and we birdied the holes that we knew we had to on the front nine," McIlroy said. "We had a chance of two birdies most holes and most of the time we took one of them."