Sweden close gap on Ireland

Defending champions Sweden trimmed Ireland’s advantage to two strokes at the midway point of today’s third round fourballs at the Omega Mission Hills World Cup.

Holding a three-stroke overnight lead following yesterday’s alternate shot foursomes, Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell reached the turn in four under par to progress to 22 under overall at Mission Hills Golf Club.

But with Robert Karlsson inspiring Sweden to five under at the turn, he and partner Henrik Stenson are firmly in the hunt.

Karlsson’s putter was proving a key weapon in Sweden’s arsenal as the former European number one drained a 30 foot birdie putt which broke three times from off the green at six before adding his fourth gain in five holes at the seventh.

World number seven Stenson finally made his first contribution of the day at the ninth to leave the defending champions a shot clear of Italy.

Brothers Francesco and Edoardo Molinari also played the front nine of the undulating Olazabal Course in five under to progress to 19 under par.

Ireland, who posted a brilliant 14 under par in Thursday’s opening round fourballs, started brightly with two birdies over the first three holes.

But the Ulsterman had to wait until the seventh to add a third following McIlory’s deft chip to less than foot from the greenside bunker before McDowell picked up his second shot of the day at the ninth.