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So much for that notion that American golfers don't travel well.The first World Golf Championship in Asia opened Thursday to a leaderboard filled with Stars & Stripes, led by wide-eyed Nick Watney and his 8-under 64 that tied the course record at the HSBC Champions and including, as always, Tiger Woods.Watney got more excitement than he expected when he went to Shanghai's metropolis in a cab that weaved through six lanes of cars on a three-lane highway. He felt far more safe at Sheshan International Golf Club, where he kept it down the middle and close to the flag. Watney made an accidental eagle and ran off four straight birdies while building a two-shot lead.There were concerns that Americans would stay away from this World Golf Championship, being halfway around the world at the end of a busy year and not counting as an official event on the PGA Tour.Even so, 13 of them made the trip and all but two broke par. Jerry Kelly was smiling at the way he ground out a 71 while using new grooves in his irons to get ready for next year."Got my first shank out of the way," Kelly said with a laugh.The 28-year-old American is making his first trip to Asia, though not his last. Watney decided a few months ago to play the World Cup the week of Thanksgiving at Mission Hills near Hong Kong. He wanted to stick around for a few weeks in between, but decided instead to return home to Las Vegas to rest.