Italy set the pace on the opening morning of the Mission Hills World Cup as brothers Francesco and Edoardo Molinari briskly moved onto six under par during the first round fourballs.

European Challenge Tour number one Edoardo dominated the partnership with two birdies and an eagle at the 11th, while younger brother Francesco contributed two birdies to open up a one stroke lead over Japan.

Last week in Japan, Edoardo edged out Sweden's Robert Karlsson in a play-off to win the Dunlop Phoenix Tournament to add to three wins and a further nine top 10 finishes in Europe which set a Challenge Tour earnings record for a season to ensure a return to the European Tour.

Hiroyuki Fujita and Ryuji Imada reached the turn in five under par alongside Argentinian duo Rafa Echenique and Tano Goya.

English pairing Ian Poulter and Ross Fisher made a solid start with two gains in five holes, with Martin Kaymer carding an eagle to push Germany also onto two under in the opening stages of their first round over the undulating Olazabal Course at Mission Hills Golf Club.