Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell maintained Ireland’s three-shot lead at the Omega Mission Hills World Cup after picking up two early gains at the start of Saturday morning’s third-round fourballs.
After posting a 14 under par first round in the better ball format on Thursday, confidence in the Irish camp will be high for another lucrative day on the undulating Olazabal Course at Mission Hills Golf Club.
And after McDowell posted the first birdie at the par three third, World Number Ten McIlroy holed from ten feet at the next to move Ireland to 20 under par at the top of the leaderboard.
Brothers Francesco and Edoardo Molinari took over pole position from defending champions Sweden in pursuit of Ireland after three gains in five holes took Italy to 17 under par.
After partner Henrik Stenson missed a long eagle putt and failed to convert the short birdie chance, Robert Karlsson coolly converted from close range to post Sweden’s first gain of the day at the third to improve to 16 under overall.
Canada stormed into fourth at 14 under par as Graham Delaet and Stuart Anderson played their opening 12 holes in eight under par.
Japan, India, Australia and Korea progressed to 13 under par with South Africa and Denmark a further shot off the pace.
Australian duo Stuart Appleby and Robert Allenby made their move with seven birdies in ten holes, while Korea were equally as explosive as US PGA Championship winner YE Yang picked up seven birdies in ten holes.
Partner Charlie Wi made his first contribution of the day at the 11th before Yang resumed his birdie blitz to move Korea to eight under through 13 of the traditionally high-scoring format.
