Brendan Jones made a four-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole yesterday, giving Australia a nine-under 63 and a share of the lead with Spain after the third round of the World Cup of Golf.

Miguel Angel Jimenez and Pablo Larrazabal of Spain, who led by four strokes after two rounds, had a 67 in the fourball format. Jimenez missed a six- foot putt for birdie on the final hole, which would have kept Spain in the outright lead. Both teams were 22-under on 194. Jones and teammate Richard Green also shot 63 on Thursday using the fourball style of play. Today’s final will be played in foursomes. Spain shot a blistering 63 on Friday in that format. In foursomes, teams play one ball and alternate shots. Fourball is easier because each golfer plays his own ball, but the team counts only the best of the two scores on each hole. Robert Karlsson and Henrik Stenson of Sweden, the highest-ranked players in the event, shot 66 and are four strokes off the lead. Germany was another stroke back after a 68. Ireland (68) trailed by seven and the United States (69) and Japan (68) were eight behind. Australia pulled even with Spain on the 15th hole with an eagle. Jones landed his 180-yard approach, using a nine iron, and holed a five-foot putt. “I got some chills up my spine when the crowd sort of thought it was a pretty decent shot and they all cheered,” said Jones, who plays primarily on the Japan tour. “I would have been very, very disappointed to miss that putt.” Spain went to 22-under with a birdie on 16.

Sapa-AP in Shenzhen, China

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