Germany cut the gap between themselves and Omega Mission Hills World Cup leaders Spain to three strokes after picking up an early birdie during the third round fourballs.
The first round leaders had started the day tied for second place alongside Australia but made their move when Martin Kaymer sank a birdie putt on the par three second to move up to 14 under par for the tournament.
Spain seem unlikely to relinquish their place at the top of the leaderboard having moved four strokes clear at the end of the second round with a stunning 63 in foursomes.
Australia were on 13 under after their first hole with Sweden a shot further behind through two alongside Japan, who made their move up the leaderboard with Ryuji Imada carding birdies on the first and par-five third.
Ireland made par on their first two holes and remained at 11 under alongside the United States.
England’s Ian Poulter and Ross Fisher found their form early in the third round with an impressive run on the front nine.
Having struggled during Friday’s foursomes to card a two-over-par 74 that sees their hopes of a second World Cup victory since 2004 all but ended, the pair combined to shoot six consecutive birdies from the second to climb up to seven under though eight holes.
Scotland’s Colin Montgomerie and Alastair Forsyth continued to disappoint and were 13 shots off the pace at four under through seven holes having shot two birdies against one bogey.
