Australia found itself tied for 16th with Singapore, Chinese Taipei and Turkey after the opening round of the World Amateur Team Championships at Royal Adelaide and The Grange. The Australians were one of the last groups to tee-off at Royal Adelaide on a warm afternoon which provided a rare break from the wind that usually has an effect on the course. Victoria s Matthew Griffin began well with 8 pars and a birdie to make the turn at 1-under as the sun beat down. A bogey-birdie-bogey combination through 12, 13 and 14 left Griffin at even par as he headed towards home. A nicely timed birdie on the 17th left him in the club house at 1-under (72) for the day. It’s always a bit hard coming out in an afternoon session, especially at Royal Adelaide but I though the boys battled well and didn t do too much wrong, Griffin said. We ll need to come out fighting tomorrow at The Grange but we know if two of us shoot 67 or a 68, we ll be right up there. Griffin s team-mate Rohan Blizard finished at 2-over after an up-and-down round. Birdies on the second and fifth hole made way for three bogeys on four, six and nine and Blizard headed for the back half of the track at 1-over. Three bogeys were offset by a birdie on the way home and Blizard finished at 2-over (75) after the opening round. Australian captain Stuart Cox said it was a more a matter of putting that decided Australia s early scoring. There were a few missed putts and that s probably what has cost us a little bit on the scoreboard, Cox said. The boys didn t do much wrong today but there is room for improvement and we ll get out on Grange West tomorrow and be aiming for very solid round. NSW s Tim Stewart finished at 3-over despite a late birdie and was left with 76. Scoreboard T16- Australia (+1) Rohan Blizard- +2 (75) Matt Griffin -1 (72) Tim Stewart- 76 +3 (76)