Spaniards leave rivals in a trail of smoke

Miguel Angel Jimenez and Pablo Larrazabal like wine, they like to smoke and they like to enjoy themselves.

They also play sublime golf - Jimenez being a Ryder Cup player and two-time Hong Kong Open winner, while Larrazabal was European Tour Rookie of the Year for the 2008 season.

When you combine their characters and golfing chemistry, it's a potent combination.

The Omega Mission Hills World Cup bore witness to this yesterday as the two Spaniards rode along on each other's profound talents to open up a four-stroke lead, thanks to a stunning nine-under 63 in the second-day foursomes (alternate shot).

At 17-under-par 127 at the halfway stage, Spain have already laid waste to most of the field, including hosts China (Liang Wenchong and Zhang Lianwei), who slumped to a three-over 75 to be at even par, and defending champions Scotland (Colin Montgomerie and Alastair Forsyth), who ended at three under after a 73.

Overnight leaders Germany (Martin Kaymer and Alex Cejka) recovered from a poor front nine to finish at 13 under after a 69, along with Australia (Richard Green and Brendan Jones), who shot 68. Pre-tournament favourites Sweden (Robert Karlsson and Henrik Stenson) stayed in the hunt after a 67 to be five strokes behind.

The World Cup record for foursomes of 61 looked in danger at one stage - even the magic 59 figure - as Jimenez and Larrazabal cajoled each other to nine under through 11 holes.