Sandy Lyle and Ian Woosnam in good Handa Cup start

Shropshire golfing greats Sandy Lyle and Ian Woosnam today made encouraging starts to the Handa Cup in Japan.

Former Hawkstone Park ace Lyle began with a four-under-par round of 68 to lie in a share of sixth position, while fellow Major champion Ian Woosnam, of Oswestry, was two shots worse off in a tie for 14th.

That represented a fine effort from Lyle, who suffered a rib injury last week in Australia and feared he would have to pull out.

"That was a pretty good round all things considering," said Shrewsbury-born Lyle, the former Open and US Masters champion.

"My goal today was really to survive, I'm just happy to be below par."

Home hope Katsuyoshi Tomori and Frenchman Marc Farry share the lead on six-under-par.

Although the tournament has moved courses this year, Woosnam is the defending champion in the three-round event which is co-sanctioned by the European Seniors Tour.