• World Cup of Golf, Round Three

McIlroy and McDowell take control

Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell are flying high in China © Getty Images

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• News: Rory and GMac trail Australia by two
  
• Profile: Graeme McDowell | Rory McIlroy

Ireland pair Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell seized control of the World Cup of Golf with a brilliant round of 64.

The duo put themselves in contention over the course of the first two rounds before making their move in the fourballs on Saturday at Mission Hills - with a round of 64 handing them a two-shot lead over United States, Germany and South Africa.

McIlroy threw down an early marker with a brilliant birdie on the second. He was out of position with his second shot, but a glorious wedge over a bunker to five feet gave them momentum.

McDowell contributed to Ireland's score, a brilliant iron approach on seven setting up a routine birdie - following up a glorious 20-foot birdie putt on the third.

Having turned in 31, McDowell and McIlroy consolidated coming home - adding three more birdies - to secure a two-shot lead.

USA appear the biggest threat to the Irish, with their round of 63 moving them to 19-under. The effort was built on the brilliant putting of Matt Kuchar. The American has putted well of late and he gave a masterclass on the seventh when draining a slippery downhiller from 15 feet.

Germany (Alex Cejka and Martin Kaymer) and South Africa (Louis Oosthuizen and Charl Schwartzel) are firmly in the mix at 19-under following sizzling rounds of 61. Oosthuizen and Schwartzel birdied six of their final eight holes to get back in contention.

England's Ian Poulter and Justin Rose slipped well off the pace after, in context of the low scoring, a disappointing 68. Wales and Scotland are sat on 15-under.

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