England feel the heat from Spain

An inspired Sergio Garcia put the heat on England at the World Cup in sunny Seville today.

Garcia, playing in the event for only the second time in his career, had two eagles and five birdies to wipe out the five-stroke overnight lead of Ryder Cup team-mates Paul Casey and Luke Donald.

Miguel Angel Jimenez, another of the Detroit heroes, added two birdies as the hosts – also the pre-tournament favourites – charged from 13 under par to 24 under in the first 16 holes.

Donald and the under-fire Casey, whose anti-American comments following the Ryder Cup have now cost him a lucrative contract with his club and ball sponsors, had opened with rounds of 61 and 64, but with three holes to play suddenly found themselves one behind.

As the event reverted to fourballs neither was on song. Donald did open with a 18-foot putt and Casey made one from 35 feet at the fourth, but they were the only birdies until Donald pitched to five feet on the long ninth and Casey two-putted the 517-yard 13th.

Garcia’s second eagle was the one which put them at the top of the leaderboard in the hunt for the first prize of over £750,000.

He fired his approach over the lake to five feet and made the putt.

Americans Scott Verplank and Bob Tway were in third place on 21 under, two behind, and then came Irish pair Padraig Harrington and Paul McGinley on 20 under along with Japan and South Africa.

Welshmen Phillip Price and Bradley Dredge had an eight-under 64 to move to joint 10th at 18 under, while Scots Alastair Forsyth and Alastair Forsyth were tied for 14th of the 24 nations on 14 under following a 66.