Ireland's duo of Michael Hoey and Keith Maybin moved to 13 under par - 7 shots off top spot - at the end of the third round of golf's World Cup.
Americans Boo Weekley and Heath Slocum negotiated tricky conditions at the Mission Hills Golf Club today to once again lead the field.
Starting the day one stroke ahead of England and Scotland the pair combined for a six-under-par 66 and are 20 under for the tournament going into tomorrow's final round. The Irish pair carded a 65 to close their round on 13 under par.
Most teams struggled to pick up birdies on the front nine on the Olazabal course, with some complaints of difficult pins 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. "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.
England's Justin Rose and Ian Poulter found themselves frustrated in the return to fourballs. Poulter on occasion was distracted by a Chinese crowd struggling to adhere to the no-noise rules.
Coming home they suffered misfortune on a number of holes, particularly the 17th when Rose laid his tee-shot nicely onto the green only for his attempted birdie putt to just lip out.
The pair finished the day on five under, two shots behind the USA alongside South Africa.
"It is going to be an exciting day tomorrow," said Rose. "There are five or six teams in with a shout and it will definitely make it exciting."
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.
Argentina, Holland and defending champions Germany are all still in contention at three shots off the lead while Wales are 10 strokes behind.
