Duval hit with two-shot penalty

Duval hit with two-shot penalty as U.S. falter on day one Alastair Himmer GOTEMBA, Japan (Reuters) - British Open champion David Duval was penalised two strokes by tournament officials on Thursday after taking a practice putt on the 16th green during the first round of the World Cup.

Duval, who claimed he was unaware of the rule, was informed of the penalty on the next green -- the short 17th -- where had to putt for a bogey four instead of a birdie two.

But his oversight effectively cost the United States just one stroke, though, after his partner Tiger Woods made par at the same hole.

But the defending champions still finished four shots off the first-round lead jointly held by Scotland, Canada and Sweden at 10-under-par 62.

"Verbally we weren't told (about the rule). I wasn't aware," said Duval. "Thankfully it only cost us one shot."

Earlier, Australian Aaron Baddeley was also handed a two-shot penalty for the same infringement on the first green.

But a senior PGA tour official denied there was any grey area surrounding the rule.

NOTHING NEW

"This is a rule of golf that each tour around the world uses in any strokeplay event, so it is nothing new," said Mike Shea, director of rules for the PGA tour.

"We highlighted it on the local rule sheet (for the players). Duval took a practice stroke after Tiger had holed out."

Duval missed his birdie putt on the par-four 16th after Woods had safely made par and then placed his ball in the same spot to practice the putt.

Minutes later, a long conversation took place on the edge of the 17th green between Duval and tournament official John Paramor, but the player accepted the decision with good grace.

Woods insisted afterwards that the Americans were in "great position", despite being outplayed on the day by their Japanese playing partners.

"If we can somehow be focused for all 18 holes like we were last year and take care of business, we'll be all right," said the world number one.

Woods and Duval won last year's World Cup in Argentina after holding off a spirited challenge from home favourites Eduardo Romero and Angel Cabrera at the Buenos Aires Golf Club.