When the event resumed today Donald rolled in an 18-foot birdie putt on the first green to take himself and the under-fire Casey, five clear overnight, to 20 under par.

But their lead was cut to three strokes when the Americans birdied four of the first five holes.

Casey sank a 35-foot putt on the fourth to restore a four-shot advantage for England, but neither he nor Donald could birdie the 514-yard next.

Price added Wales’ fifth birdie at the eighth, but he ran into the edge of a lake on the 545-yard ninth and Dredge failed to get up and down after firing his approach away from the water and into the crowd on the left.

They turned in 31 and at 15 under were joint eighth six strokes back.

Tway cut England's lead to three when he birdied the 379-yard eighth, Donald and Casey managing just two birdies in the first seven holes.

McGinley followed Price into the water on the ninth. But Harrington came to his rescue – chipping to five feet and making the birdie putt for an outward 32 which put them joint third on 17 under with Spain, Japan and holders South Africa.

Verplank and Tway were representing their country after the decision of their leading nine players to turn down the chance to play for the first prize of over £750,000.

When they arrived they were inevitably questioned about Casey’s comment following the Ryder Cup in September that “we properly hate them”.

“I don’t think anybody would miss him if he went back to England,” said Verplank when told that Casey, whose contract with ball and club sponsor Titleist is now not to be renewed in the new year over the row, was planning more events in the States.

“I wouldn’t think that would be the smartest thing to do if you’re going to stay over in the United States. The temperature around him might cool off a little bit.

“I mean, how can you say derogatory things towards a group of people and generalising them all and not expect to have some guys not take it personally?”

America’s start to the fourballs this morning was matched by hosts and pre-tournament favourites Spain. Sergio Garcia birdied the third, Miguel Angel Jimenez the fourth and then to the biggest cheer of the week from the biggest crowds of the week Garcia eagled the long fifth.

Welsh pair Phillip Price and Bradley Dredge birdied four of the first five like the Americans and improved to 14 under, but were in joint 10th place.

Scots Alastair Forsyth and Scott Drummond, setting off on the back nine, birdied the 12th, 13th and 16th to be 11 under.

World Golf Championship Leaderboard

21 under - England (43)

18 under – United States (44)

17 under – Spain (44)

Japan (45)

Ireland (45)

South Africa (44)

16 under – Australia (46)

Sweden (44)

Austria (43)

15 under – Wales (47)

Netherlands (47)

Germany (46)