yesterday and find themselves with much ground to make up if they are to finish in a respectable position.

The Island's four-member squad of Mike Sims, Robbie Spurling, Dave Purcell and Nick Mansell could only muster a total of 240 -- three of four scores counted -- that places them 46th out of 59 countries, after failing to come to grips with the fast greens at Sporting Club Berlin Bad Saarow's Arnold Palmer designed course in Berlin, Germany.

Time and again the group failed to hole makeable putts and, consequently, paid the price, as none came close to breaking par.

"They were not making the putts today at all,'' said non-playing captain Bob Legere. "The greens were fast, but they were also true.

"It may have been a case of the jitters and the weather also could have had an effect, because we had an early tee-off time and it was very cold early on.

It warmed up as we went along, but I think the guys were just too jittery out there.

"They had a good practice round, but they didn't make the putts when they got out there today.'' Sims and Mansell recorded the best scores among the locals, each carding seven-over-par 79s, good for 138th out of 236 individuals, while Spurling (82) stands in the 184th spot and Purcell (83) is 196th.

Last night saw the Bermuda contingent huddling together to devise what they hope will be a better strategy for the second round, set to be played on the much more demanding Nick Faldo designed course, which is also a par 72.

Legere said he would allow the more senior members, Purcell and Mansell, to tee off first, followed by Spurling and Sims. They will each play alongside opponents representing South Africa and Denmark.

"I think they're a little down on themselves, knowing that they can play better and place better than they did,'' added Legere. "But we have plenty of time to move up the leaderboard.'' Currently leading the event are United States and Canada, both having carded scores of 207, while next are South Africa at 211, followed by India (212), Australia (213) and a combined England and Ireland (213).

Individually, Paul Casey of England tops the leaderboard after his first round 66, with Paul Eger of the US one stroke back at 67, while Canada's Jon Mills also enjoyed a good day, carding a four-under 68.