Boo Weekley and Heath Slocum hold a one-stroke lead for the third successive day at the top of the Mission Hills leaderboard as the USA look to capture a 24th World Cup title.
Despite few expecting the pair to challenge in a field containing players such as European number one Justin Rose and two-time major winner Retief Goosen, they held firm to card a six-under-par 66 today and are on 20-under 196 for the tournament.
France and Scotland are clinging on to their coat-tails on 19 under as they look to ensure all is to play for tomorrow.
The USA made a good start when Weekley putted for an eagle on the long par-five third and then added birdies on the seventh and ninth.
The 34-year-old added one more coming home, grabbing a birdie on the par-five 11th, before Slocum picked up his only shot in the fourballs format today on the 13th.
They were playing alongside England duo Rose and Ian Poulter, who could have finished much higher up the leaderboard than their eventual fourth place but for some ill luck with some putts.
On a number of holes the ball lipped out when on for a birdie while distractions from a somewhat noisy following did not help matters.
In the end they carded five birdies in an otherwise faultless round and are alongside South Africa, two strokes behind the USA.
The Irish duo of Michael Hoey and Gareth Maybin carded a seven-under-par 65 and are on 13-under 203.
