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US hold off Brit challengers

23/11/2007

The United States continue to lead golf's World Cup after a solid second round kept them one shot clear of England and Scotland.

England's Justin Rose and Ian Poulter had led for most of the way until a bogey on the penultimate hole meant they slipped behind US pair Boo Weekley and Heath Slocum.

The Americans - the overnight leaders – looked strong early on but a bogey on the fourth hole at Mission Hills golf course in Shenzhen, China, coupled with four birdies for the English on the front nine, put Poulter and Rose ahead.

However Weekley and Slocum staged a recovery with three birdies of their own between the seventh and 11th holes until the late slip from the English pair.

"This is a hard format to play, to keep a rhythm," said Slocum.

"But we started the day ahead and we finished the day ahead."

Weekley echoed the sentiments of his team-mate, saying they were pleased to be leading despite being short of top form.

"We played solid today under the conditions," he said.

"We weren't hitting it our best and sure not putting it our best."

Scotland's team of Colin Montgomerie and Marc Warren ensured they were still in touch, despite two bogeys in their round of 68.

Welsh pair Bradley Dredge and Stephen Dodd started the day on level terms with both England and Scotland but endured a disastrous day that virtually rules them out of contention at nine shots off the lead.

Three consecutive bogeys to start the round, as well as a further dropped shot at the sixth meant they reached half way at four over.

They recovered somewhat with an eagle at the 15th and a birdie at the 16th but Wales are now tied for 19th place.

Ireland's Michael Hoey and Gareth Maybin are tied for 15th after carding a level-par 72.