Germany grab a share of the lead

Germany have charged into red-hot contention in the 3rd round of the Omega Mission Hills World Cup with a blistering 61.

Germany have charged into red-hot contention in the 3rd round of the Omega Mission Hills World Cup in China with a blistering 11-under 61.

Martin Kaymer and Alex Cejka burnt up the Blackstine Course at Mission Hills on China’s Hainan Island with an 11-strong birdie blitz that rocketed them up the leaderboard into a tie for the lead at 19-under with Ireland’s highly rated Rory McIlroy, the World No 2 and reigning US Open champion, and Graeme McDowell, the 2010 US Open winner.

Ireland were going great guns, however, and were at 6-under as they prepared to start their back nine in the second of the easier fouball rounds.

At this stage, Australia, who had led the first round of fourballs with a 61 and co-lead the second one of alternative-shot foursomes with Ireland, were struggling to keep up with their rivals in the big birdue race and with just four after 9 holes, had slipped back into a third-place tie at 17-under with, surprise, surprise, South Africa.

After a disappointing first-round of 68 that had left them fifth from last and seven shots off the pace, Charl Schwartzel, the reigning Masters champion, and Louis Oosthuizen, were fighting back and at 9-under after just 15 holes, had put themselves right back in the race at 17-under