A superb display of foursomes golf by Miguel Angel Jiménez and Pablo Larrazabal sent Spain into a four stroke lead at the end of the second round of the Omega Mission Hills World Cup.
The duo had completed the opening fourballs round in an eight under par 64 to leave them two shots behind overnight leaders Germany at the start of play.
However, Jiménez and 2008 Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year Larrazabal flourished in the alternate shot format on a course designed by compatriot José María Olazábal to card a nine under 63 for 17 under par 127 total.
Australia and Germany are tied second at 13 under after carding 68 and 69 respectively while pre-tournament favourites Sweden also enjoyed a profitable round with a 67 and are a shot further behind at 12 under for the championship.
Spain got off to a strong start as they picked up a birdie on the par three second before Jiménez holed an eagle putt from 16 feet on the third and then picked up three more shots before the turn.
They continued their impressive form on the back nine with successive birdies from the tenth and though they bogeyed the par five 15th, Spain immediately recovered when Larrazabal sank a long putt for birdie on the 16th.
“We complemented very well today on the golf course,” said Jiménez. “We didn’t have any mistakes, except at hole number 15 where we made a bogey.
“Apart from that we played well. We enjoyed ourselves and that is very important.”
Germany's Martin Kaymer and Alex Cejka recovered from a relatively disappointing run heading out in which they saw two birdies cancelled out by two bogeys by picking up three shots coming home.
In contrast Australia made their move with a solid run on the front nine that yielded four birdies and without a shot dropped before coming home with two birdies against two bogeys while Sweden's Robert Karlsson and Henrik Stenson put themselves in contention with seven birdies and just two bogeys.
“We hit some really good shots and made some really good putts,” said Stenson. “There is still a long way to go but hopefully we can reel Spain in.”
The United States are tied fifth at 11 under alongside Ireland, whose Graeme McDowell and Paul McGinley shot six birdies against two bogeys today.
The third round returns to fourballs before switching back to foursomes for the final round on Sunday.
