Belgian duo grips third round of golf World Cup

Thomas Pieters and Thomas Detry stormed clear of the chasing pack and soared to a five-stroke lead after the third round of the World Cup of Golf on Saturday, putting Belgium on track for a maiden title in the $7 million team event.

Having put on a wet weather clinic during the foursomes on Friday, the tall Belgian duo thrived in dry conditions to shoot nine-under 63 in the four-ball round at Metropolitan Golf Club.

Belgium, overnight co-leaders with South Korea, moved to a 19-under total of 197, five ahead of Mexico (65), Italy (66) and the Koreans (68) at the 28-nation event.

England's Tyrrell Hatton and Ian Poulter (67) were a stroke further back on 13-under with Australia (65).

Sunday's final round reverts back to the foursomes format.