SEVILLE, Spain (AFP) - A brace of eagles from an inspired Sergio Garcia lit up the World Cup as the home-country favourites overhauled a big England halfway lead in the second session of fourballs.
Garcia had eagles at the par-five fifth and 16th holes and also chimed in with five bridies as he and partner Miguel Angel Jimenez, who had two birdies of his own, carded a stunning 11-under 61.
That put them on 24-under for the tournament, one stroke ahead of the English pair of Paul Casey and Luke Donald.
Four countries - The United States, South Africa, Ireland and Sweden - were tied for third place two strokes further back.
The English Ryder Cup stars had started the day on 19-under par, five strokes clear of Austria and six clear of a clutch of six teams including title-holders South Africa, Spain, the United States, Ireland, Sweden and Japan.
They were talking confidently of taking a big lead into Sunday's final round, but that was before Garcia took control with a sensational spell of golf.
Donald got England off to the best of possible starts with a 13-footer (3.96m) for birdie at the first and Casey continued his fine form on the greens by sinking a monster putt on the fourth.
But the US-schooled pair were subdued after that managing just the one birdie in a disappointing back nine as the pack led by the Spaniards inexorably closed in on them.
The veteran Bob Tway was the early inspiration for the fifth-string American duo with five birdies on the front nine, and Scott Verplank joined in with a crucial eagle-three at the 13th.
At one stage they looked like reeling in the English as well, but had to settle for pars at the tough closing four holes.
Trevor Immelman and Rory Sabbatini who won South Africa's fifth World Cup title last year at Kiawah Island, South Carolina, each had four birdies en route to a 64, while Paul McGinley outshone Irish partner Padraig Harrington with six birdies to three as they also came in with a 64.
A birdie three on the last from Joakim Haeggman put Sweden into the tie for third place.
The tournament concludes on Sunday with the second session of foursomes.
11/20/2004 - 15:53 GMT - AFP