McIlroy contractually obliged to miss World Cup?
"There is only one Irish team incorporating North and South as in previous World Cups" Keith Waters
Pressure on McIlroy but McDowell a banker
Rory McIlroy faces the most pressure packed day of his career in China on Sunday. Luckily, he has Graeme McDowell to share the burden as Ireland takes a one stroke lead into the final round of the Omega Mission Hills World Cup.
Yes, McIlroy and McDowell are on track for a wire-to-wire victory after a bogey-free eight under par 64 left them on 26 under, just one clear of Italian brothers Edoardo and Francesco Molinari (61) and Sweden's Henrik Stenson and Robert Karlsson (62), the defending champions.
Given McIlroy's amazing ascent from 50th to 10th in the world rankings over the past 11 months, it's amazing to think that he might have under-achieved.
McIlroy and McDowell survive wobble to stay three clear
In Thursday's fourball 58 they didn't have a five on their card. But Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell showed they are somewhat human after all when they carded a six and a seven in a battling foursomes 68 and still remained three clear in the Omega Mission Hills World Cup.
The Ulstermen cruised five shots clear of the field after two birdies and an eagle on the front nine but stuttered on the way home before recovering brilliantly.