Que, Pucay stay at joint 22nd with 72

MANILA, Philippines - Angelo Que and Mars Pucay struggled in foursomes and settled for an even par 72 as the Philippines fell farther behind by 14 strokes to Ireland halfway through the World Cup of Golf at the Mission Hills Golf Club in Shenzhen, China yesterday.

The Filipinos made just three birdies against the same number of bogeys, including on the par-3 17th, as they failed to get going in the alternate-shot format after shooting a 68 in the fourballs.

The RP bets remained in joint 22nd in a field of 28, 14 shots behind the Irishmen, who threatened to blow the field in the $5 million event with a steady round in the tougher format.

Ireland, behind Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell, shot a 68 after ripping the course with a 58 in the first round as they pooled an 18-under 126 for a three-shot lead over defending champion Sweden.

Henrik Stenson and Robert Karlsson combined for seven birdies for a bogey-free 65 as the Swedes moved up to second at 129 after starting out in the joint fourth with Italy.

Siblings Francesco and Edoardo Molinari turned in a 66 for a 130 while Japan remained the best Asian team at fourth with a 133 after a 71.

Wales and Venezuela stood in joint fifth at 134 after a 68 and 67, respectively, while South Africa (70), England (69), India (68) and New Zealand (68) shared seventh place at 135.

Joint 10th last year, Que and Pucay hope to recover lost grounds as play shifts back to better-ball format today.