Izawa holes out for eagle to send Japan into World Cup lead

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico (Reuters): Japan's Toshi lzawa made an. eagle on the par-four 13th when he holed a wedge from 75 yards (about 68 meters) to help his country to a one-stroke lead over Fiji at the World Cup on Saturday.

Izawa's eagle from the fairway at the Vista Vallarta course was described by teammate Shigeki Maruyama. as the "shot of the day" and helped Japan to a 14-under 58 on the third day of the international pairs competition.

"We had a very good first nine holes, with six birdies, and then the turning point was probably the 13th hole, which Izawa-san made eagle," said Maruyama. "That was the shot of the day.

"Afterward, my play was getting better and so, overall, it was a very enjoyable round."

The Japanese pair's round was bettered only by world number two Phil Mickelson and number six David Toms, who shot a 15-under 57 for the United States.

Their one-eagle, 13-birdie card moved the Americans from a tie for 13th into fourth. "In best-ball it's very difficult because nobody is going to make a bogey," Mickelson said of Saturday's format.

"We played very well today as a team, and early in the round. David made a couple of key putts to keep our momentum going and we got hot (on the back nine) ...to shoot 9-under and make up a lot of ground."

Overnight leader Fiji, with Vijay Singh and Dinesh Chand. dropped into second, after shooting a second successive 10-under 62 and falling one back of the Japanese.

Defending champion South Africa, being represented by Tim dark and Rory Sabbatini this year, also made 62 and finished two strokes behind Japan in third place.

The Scotland, England, Ireland and Denmark squads also shot 62s. but were unable to make up much ground on a day where the wind didn't factor in and players were competing in four-ball format.

"It's a tough fromat," said Ireland's Padraig Harrington, who won last week's Target World Challenge,

"Ten-under is very respectable but you need to do better. We weent close a few times and could have been a few better.

"You have to make birdies everywhere and that is not casy."

The Japanese pair is seek ing their country's first win since 1957, when Torakichi Nakamura and Koichi Ono won the trophy in Japan.