Garcia ignites Spain's charge

Sergio Garcia, cheered every step of the way, went into overdrive at the World Cup in sunny Seville today as Luke Donald and Paul Casey spluttered badly.

The English pair’s four-under-par 68 was the joint-worst score of the third round fourballs and from five clear of the field at halfway they now find themselves trailing hosts and pre-tournament favourites Spain by one.

Garcia and Miguel Angel Jimenez had an 11 under par 61 to reach the 24 under par total of 192, with the 24-year-old grabbing two eagles and five birdies.

Jimenez, who contributed just two birdies, said: “The way he played today was awesome.”

For many players a big home crowd would have added pressure to perform, but Garcia commented: “I really enjoy it when there’s a big crowd following. I get more into it. There are more people to make happy and show what I can do.

“The wind changed and it was not as easy a day, but we managed to get it going nicely. We finally made a couple of big putts and when I wasn’t in a hole Miguel was.

“It was a big, important day and now we have a nice chance.” Not only of Spain’s first win since 1984, but also a cheque for £377,317 – each.

Garcia was the only player all day to eagle the 522-yard 16th. It was downwind, but the flag was only just over the lake and he hit a drive and wedge to five feet.

That was the shot which took them ahead on their own for the first time and when the English pair came to the hole Casey went from a greenside bunker into the water and Donald missed a birdie chance of about three feet.

Each of them had only two birdies all day – a day which started with news that Casey’s contract with his club and ball sponsor is not being renewed on January 1 following his anti-American comments after the Ryder Cup.

When asked about that he refused to comment. If only he had done the same in the first place during his interview with a Sunday Times journalist.

Donald commented: “Today was obviously very frustrating for us, but fortunately we did have a lead to work with. We lost it, we are still very much in the hunt and if we play like we did yesterday we are going to be in with a very good chance.” Their Friday foursomes 64 was the best of the day.

“I didn’t hit the ball as well as I have, but the pins were a lot more tucked and all credit to Spain.”

This is only the second time Garcia has played in the World Cup and he has put the Spanish in position to record their first win since Jose Maria Canizares and Jose Rivero triumphed 20 years ago.

Ireland’s Padraig Harrington and Paul McGinley, winners in 1997, could still stop them. Their 64 kept them in a tie for third place with holders South Africa, the United States and Sweden and from six behind overnight they are now only three back.

Welsh pair Phillip Price and Bradley Dredge, despite also scoring 64, are six behind in joint-10th spot and Scots Alastair Forsyth and Scott Drummond find themselves in a tie for 14th on 14 under following a 66.

McGinley and Harrington looked set for an interesting dinner, the latter having said on television that they might change the hitting order for the closing round, but McGinley stating: “There will be a discussion and a row - like all good relationships.”