Spain just edge one shot ahead

Sergio Garcia and Miguel Angel Jimenez of Spain came from six strokes behind to take the lead in the WGC World Cup third round on Saturday.

A modest day in the better-ball by England's Paul Casey, who found out before his round that his golf club and equipment contract would not be renewed because of his anti-American comments during the week, and Luke Donald dropped them back to second, a shot back.

Four teams -- champions South Africa, first-round joint leaders Ireland, the U.S. and Sweden, shared third spot, three off the pace.

Garcia was the dominant force for the new leaders as he buoyed an already enthusiastic home gallery at the Real Club by racking up two eagles and five birdies in Spain's 11-under-par 61 return that took them to 24-under-par 192.

Jimenez was the more quiescent partner with just two birdies but his save for par on the 18th kept the home favourites in front.

"We gelled very well," said Garcia, whose second eagle of the day on the long 16th could prove the shot of the week.

He needed only a wedge second on the 522-yard hole and a five-foot putt to make three.

"We knew we needed a big day to get close to the English boys and now we have a chance to win."

It is 20 years since Spain lifted the World Cup trophy when Jose Maria Canizares and Jose Rivero prevailed in Rome and Garcia believed the home crowd could help end the drought.

"I really enjoy it when there is a big crowd following, more people to make happy and show what I can do.

"They've been unbelievable all week and there are a lot of people we want to win for."

The event switches back to the alternate-shot foursomes format for the final day and with four Ryder Cup men in the final match the crowd could be in for a nail-biting finish before the 1.4 million-dollar first prize is decided.

England, five ahead before the third round, dropped no shots but their four-under 68 was one of the poorest returns of the day.

Casey, who caused a storm by saying he felt "hate" for his American opponents during the Ryder Cup, would not be drawn into whether the news of his loss of his equipment contract with Acushnet, owner of the Titleist/Footjoy and Cobra brands, had affected him, saying only: "No comment".

One of his greatest critics this week was U.S. Ryder Cup team member Scott Verplank.

When Verplank, who on Wednesday suggested Casey should stay in England instead of playing on the U.S. Tour next year, heard the news of the Englishman's loss of contract, he joked: "My name wasn't in there was it? I'm all right then."

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