nov23 Brits lead world cup

England’s Justin Rose and Ian Poulter snared three birdies in four holes to top the golf World Cup leaderboard by two shots halfway through the second round foursomes at Mission Hills on Friday.

Starting the day sharing third with five other nations, the pre-tournament favourites picked up shots at the third, fifth seventh and eighth holes before adding another birdie at the 10th to go five-under for the day and 14-under for the tournament.

American duo Boo Weekley and Heath Slocum, who had an 11-under 61 in the first-round fourballs, found the alternate shot format more taxing and were one-under for the day after the front nine to stand alone in second.

Defending champions Germany were even-par through nine holes to remain on 11-under with Denmark, Scotland and South Africa all picking up strokes to join them in a share of third.

Colin Montgomerie and Marc Warren, runners-up in a playoff last year, had mixed three birdies with a couple of bogeys by the 10th while their playing partners Retief Goosen and Trevor Immelman also had mixed fortunes for South Africa.

China’s Zhang Liangwei and Liang Wenchong briefly topped the leaderboard but a double-bogey seven at the par-five 12th and another dropped shot at the 15th saw them slip back to eight-under.

The format switches to fourballs again on Saturday and then back to foursomes on the final day.