McIlroy and McDowell still in charge for Ireland

RORY McILROY and Graeme McDowell maintained Ireland’s lead at the Omega Mission Hills World Cup at three shots after carding a battling four-under-par 68 in yesterday’s foursomes.

Ireland lit the course up in Thursday’s fourballs and looked on course for a commanding lead after moving five shots clear of the field at the turn, picking up two birdies and an eagle in the testing alternate shot format.

But the duo failed to add to their total on the way home with a late brace of birdies needed to wipe out an ugly double-bogey to progress to 18-under-par overall and maintain their strong position. Champions Sweden, meanwhile, charged ominously into contention. Henrik Stenson and Robert Karlsson combined to shoot the only bogey-free round as a seven-under-par 65 moved last year’s winners into second place following late back-to-back birdies.