Weekley-Slocum pair leads by 1

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 1-stroke over Germany's Alex Cejka and Martin Kaymer. Finland, Wales, Scotland, South Africa, Thailand and England were 2 shots back.

Weekley turned it on with 6 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 on Sunday on the Olazabal Course -- one of 12 courses at the world's largest golf complex.