Date: November 25, 2007
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Team America holds narrow lead

Boo Weekley and Heath Slocum negotiated tricky conditions at the Mission Hills Golf Club on Saturday to once again lead the field at the end of the third round of the World Cup as Australia finds itself 10 strokes off the pace. Starting the day one stroke ahead of England and Scotland the duo combined for a six-under-par 66 and are 20 under for the tournament going into Sunday&aposs final round. Most teams struggled to pick up birdies on the front nine on the Olazabal course at Mission Hills, with some complaints that the pins were placed in difficult positions. But Weekley got the USA off to the ideal start when he carded an eagle on the par-five third, hitting a solid second shot uphill to leave himself with a straightforward putt. The 34-year-old then two-putted on the par-five seventh, ninth and 11th before Slocum added one more on the 13th to keep them a shot ahead of in-form France and Scotland on the leaderboard. “I think it was a very tough day today,” said Slocum. “The pins were very difficult. It was tough and a few times we missed some putts but I think we survived even with both of us not playing our best golf.” “We have to feel a little fortunate but we are still happy with the position we are going into tomorrow with.” Scotland once again enjoyed a solid round as they chase a first World Cup victory after just missing out last year. Marc Warren and Colin Montgomerie carded a six-under 66 to ensure they remain one stroke off the leaders ahead of tomorrow. Argentina, Holland and defending champions Germany are all still in contention at three shots off the lead while Ireland and Wales are seven and 10 strokes respectively behind the USA. The Australian pair of Nathan Green and Nick O&aposHern find themselves 10 strokes off the pace despite carding a four-under 68 on the third day. New Zealand, meanwhile, is at two-under overall on the leaderboard after posting a two-under 70 on the third day. The Kiwi pair of Richard Lee and Stephen Scahill did well, however, not to drop their concentration completely after falling out of contention through a five-over 77 on Friday. omega mission hills world cup -20 United States 61 69 66 -19 France 64 71 62, Scotland 63 68 66 -18 South Africa 63 69 66, England 63 68 67 -17 Argentina 65 70 64, Germany 62 71 66, Netherlands 65 69 65 -15 Denmark 65 68 68 -14 Thailand 63 76 63, Canada 66 72 64, Finland 63 74 65, Sweden 66 70 66, Italy 65 68 69 -13 Ireland 66 72 65, Spain 67 71 65, China 65 71 67, Korea 65 69 69 -11 India 65 75 65 -10 Wales 63 76 67, Paraguay 66 73 67, b>Australia (Australia) 66 72 68 -8 Philippines 67 73 68, Austria 64 75 69 -7 Japan 67 73 69 -4 Puerto Rico 68 73 71 -2 New Zealand (New Zealand) 67 77 70 -4 Colombia 68 79 68