The Omega Mission Hills World Cup is set for a three-way final round tussle after defending champions Sweden and Italy trimmed Ireland’s lead to just one stroke after the third round fourballs.
Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell remain on course for a wire-to-wire victory after a bogey-free eight under par 64 to sit at the top of the leaderboard at 26 under overall.
The round did not reach the same heights as Thursday’s brilliant 14 under par in the opening round fourballs and leaves McIlroy and McDowell under the most pressure they have been all week.
Swedish duo Henrik Stenson and Robert Karlsson, who have yet to drop a shot this week, sit ominously at 25 under par following a 62, with Italian brothers Edoardo and Francesco Molinari also just a shot off the pace after a flawless 61.
“It was still a productive day. We had a three shot lead going out and it is now down to a one shot lead, but we still very positive going into tomorrow,” said World Number Ten McIlroy.
“The holes that we played well, we both seemed to play well and that doesn’t work very well in fourball, but we both played well. We probably left a few shots out there, but we are still in a great position going into tomorrow and we are still very positive.”
And with the three leading groups in sparking form and a six shot gap to Japan (64) and South Africa (62) at 19 under par heading into the testing alternate shot foursomes, the title appears to be remaining in Europe.
“It seems to be a three horse race, so barring any disasters in the foursomes, I can’t see anyone but the top three teams winnings,” said McDowell, who finished 16th last year with Paul McGinley.
“We are both playing well and both playing with a lot of confidence, but we just didn’t get the ball on the green today. We both played well on the same holes and didn’t help each other out as we did on Thursday, but generally we both put the ball in play and both played well and we are both looking forward to tomorrow.”
With Edoardo and then Francesco Molinari making 20 foot birdie putts over the final two holes to earn a place in tomorrow’s final group after trimming Ireland’s lead to one, McIlroy and McDowell both escaped trouble at the par three 17th.
But after Stenson holed home from eight feet at the last to join Italy at 25 under, McDowell and McIlroy both missed makeable birdie putts at the last to set up a thrilling finale.
“If you're ahead and get off to a good start like we did last year, we can sort of do our own game and put a bit of pressure because they don't really know what we are doing,” said Karlsson.
“But tomorrow we have to take care of it and we can go out and play a good foursomes tomorrow, there's every chance but it's going to be tough, because it's three really, really good teams at the top and playing at the top of their abilities, so it's going to be exciting.”
Last year current World Number Eight Stenson and Karlsson roared through the field with a brilliant nine under 63 in the final round foursomes to win at 27 under par.
“Ireland played great today,” said Players Championship winner Stenson. “We were just throwing punches back and forth. I'm very pleased that we managed to creep a little bit closer and close the gap a little bit.
“We are right in the mix tomorrow and it's going to be Ireland and Italy in the last group. We are second from the back, so it's going to be a good day again tomorrow, I hope. We have the recipe from last year with a 63 in the foursome, if we can get anything close to that tomorrow, I think we have a good chance.”
Francesco and younger brother Edoardo, the current European Challenge Tour number one, have played in the last two World Cups with 17th place in 2007 their best finish.
“I think it's been a great day for us. It's been a really good week, but today was probably the best day,” said Francesco, who also finished eighth in 2006.
“We both played really consistent, good golf. We maybe left some chances out there, but you don't expect to hole every single putt. It's been really good and we are in good position for tomorrow. We just try to keep playing like this and see what happens tomorrow.”
