Ireland stutter but retain World Cup lead in China

Rory McIlroy of Ireland (L) smiles with teammate Graeme McDowell on the 15th green during the first round of the World Cup golf tournament in Dongguan November 26, 2009.

SHENZHEN, China (Reuters) - Ireland's Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell stumbled on the back nine but recovered to retain a three-stroke lead after the second-round foursomes at World Cup of Golf on Friday.

The Ulstermen, who shot a 58 in the first round fourballs, finished with two birdies in their last three holes to keep the defending champion Swedes at bay with a four-under-par 68 for an 18-under total.

"Still leading which is great. We started out the day with a three shot lead and we still have a three shot lead," the 20-year-old McIlroy told reporters.

"Apart from the couple of mistakes on the back nine, we could have got a really good score in there. But I think in the end we showed really good character to come back with two birdies on 16 and 17."

Henrik Stenson and Robert Karlsson, looking to make Sweden the first country to win back-to-back titles since the U.S. in 2000, carded seven birdies in the only blemish-free round of the day for a 65 and second place.

Italian brothers Edoardo and Francesco Molinari were a shot further back on 14-under after a disappointing finish to a fine round left them with a 66. Japan were fourth on 11-under after a 71 with Wales (68) and Venezuela (67) sharing fifth on 10-under.

Although the fireworks of Ireland's brilliant first-round were always unlikely to be repeated in the more difficult alternate ball format, they looked comfortable enough early on.

Having picked up a single birdie through six holes, McDowell's approach shot left McIlroy to sink a two-foot putt for an eagle three at the seventh.

DOUBLE BOGEY

After picking up another shot at the ninth, they dropped their first shot of the tournament when they were forced to take a drop after McIlroy's drive found the woods -- a red hazard -- at the 11th.

They were back out to 18-under with another birdie two holes later, however, but at the 15th, which McIlroy eagled on Thursday, McDowell landed his ball in the water and three putts resulted in a double bogey.

McDowell, however, made immediate amends by draining back-to-back birdie putts at the 16th and 17th, the latter from more than 20 feet, and a par to close allowed them to keep their three-shot cushion going into Saturday's round.

"The foursomes format is probably one of the toughest formats to play golf... because you have just that little bit of extra pressure," McDowell said.

"So obviously looking forward to getting back to the better balls tomorrow. I think we are both playing really, really well."

Swede Karlsson felt that he and Stenson were playing even better than last year, when they needed a final round 63 to win the tournament.

"We are in a good position," world number seven Stenson said. "We just need to keep on playing as well as we have the first to days for the next two days, and we'll have a chance."

England, one of the pre-tournament favorites, shot a 69 to stand nine shots off the pace, while the Sergio Garcia-led Spanish team shot a 71 and would need to make up 14 shots on the leaders over the weekend.

(Editing by John O'Brien)