Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell kept Ireland on course for a third World Cup triumph with an eight-under-par 64 in fourballs Saturday to take a one-shot lead into the final round of the $5.5 million event. The Ulstermen, who led by three shots at the start of the day, were unable to replicate the fireworks of their first round 58 but shared eight birdies in a blemish free round to move to 26-under, a shot better than Sweden and Italy. “We played well and we probably left a couple of shots out there, but we are still in a great position going into tomorrow and that's the main thing, still very positive,” world No. 10 McIlroy told reporters. Henrik Stenson and Robert Karlsson, who have yet to drop a shot all week, carded a 63 in the final round foursomes to lift the trophy for Sweden last year, so will be pleased to have kept the leaders so close with their 10-birdie 62. “I'm very pleased that we managed to creep a little bit closer and close the gap a little bit,” Stenson said. “We are right in the mix tomorrow. We have the recipe from last year with a 63 in the foursome, if we can get anything close to that tomorrow, I think we have a good chance.” Brothers Edoardo and Francesco Molinari kept alive Italy's hopes of a first World Cup win with a superb 61, grabbing a birdie apiece with 20-foot putts on the final two holes to move alongside the Swedes. “It's been a really good week, but today was probably the best day,” Francesco said. “We both played really consistent, good golf... It would be nice to win tomorrow, first of all for us, and then for golf in Italy.” Japan continued to be the strongest of the Asian challengers, firing a 64 for fourth place alongside South Africa (62), seven shots behind the leaders. The Irish started another fine, sunny day at Mission Hills with the confidence of a pairing who have led the tournament all week, picking up birdies at the second and third holes. The Swedes took longer to get going but last year's European number one Karlsson soon hit a rich vein of form, picking up four shots in five holes from the third to reduce Ireland's lead to two shots. Karlsson narrowed the gap further when he curled in a 13-foot birdie putt on the 14th only for McIlroy to ram home a 10-footer of his own to regain a two-stroke cushion. World No. 7 Stenson had another chance to rein in the Irish with a six-foot eagle putt at the signature 15th but missed it and both teams recorded birdies. Italy's fine finish had put them ahead of the Swedes on the leaderboard but, as Ireland parred their way home, Stenson drained another long birdie putt for a share of second. “That 63 was an exceptional score from the Swedes last year,” McDowell added.
