US hold on to outright lead

The USA look set to retain outright top spot on the Omega Mission Hills World Cup leaderboard for the final day as they stayed ahead towards the end of the third round.

A gallant charge up the leaderboard by Raphael Jacquelin and Gregory Havret of France meant they briefly joined Boo Weekley and Heath Slocum at the top when they entered the clubhouse with an impressive 10-under 62 in today’s fourballs.

But a birdie on the 13th gave the USA sole possession of the lead as they were six under through 14 holes on the Olazabal course at Mission Hills.

“The plan at the beginning of the week was to stay in contention and just to give us a chance for Sunday to win the trophy,” said Jacquelin.

“So we did our best today to stay in contention and we are up there.

“It is going to be good tomorrow.”

Scotland were two strokes behind through 15, tied for third alongside England, who had just completed the 14th hole.

Marc Warren carded birdies on the third and the double dogleg seventh before Colin Montgomerie added another on the 10th.

Warren added another on the 11th before Montgomerie birdied the 14th and put Scotland on 18 under with three to play.

A number of narrowly missed putts meant England reached the turn with three birdies on their card.

Justin Rose picked up a shot on the par-five 11 before carding another on the 14th and kept them among the pacesetters.

Elsewhere, Holland, Argentina, South Africa and Germany were all tied for fifth at 17 under.

After a disappointing second round that saw Wales slip down the leaderboard, Bradley Dredge and Stephen Dodd improved markedly today but were tied for 20th at the end of their round.

Dredge was in fine fettle on the front nine as he carded three consecutive birdies from the second before adding another two on the seventh and ninth to ensure Wales reached the turn at five under.

Dodd added another on the 13th but they bogeyed the tricky 15th to finish five under for the day.

Ireland’s Michael Hoey and Gareth Maybin finished tied for 15th after carding a seven-under-par 65.