Argentina's Angel Cabrera and Andres Romero held off an early charge by Scotland before forging three strokes clear in the WGC-World Cup second round.

In blustery conditions at Sandy Lane Resort's Country Club Course, the South Americans fired a four-under-par 67 in the foursomes (alternate shot) format, finishing at 11-under 131.

Scotland, represented by veteran Colin Montgomerie and World Cup rookie Marc Warren, also returned a 67 to share second place with Sweden (70) and Germany (69).

Defending champions Wales slumped to a second-round 75 to lie nine off the lead alongside Ireland who struggled to a 73.

Five-times winners South Africa, joint leaders overnight with Argentina and Sweden, bogeyed the last for a 71 to slip back into a tie for fifth at seven under with four-times champions Spain.

Montgomerie and Warren made a blistering start, four birdies in five holes from the fourth lifting them close to the lead at eight under.

Although they offset two more birdies at the 13th and 16th with bogeys on 10 and at the last, they were more than satisfied with their efforts in difficult conditions.

'We're both playing okay and we would have taken a 67 before we started,' a smiling Montgomerie told reporters. 'We dovetailed fairly well yesterday and we did okay today.

'It was my job to get as close as possible (off the tee) on the par threes, which we did. We birdied three out of the five and that was the idea,' added the 43-year-old Scot,([http://www.golfgojp.com/]) who is playing in his eighth World Cup but first since 1999.

Warren, the 2006 European Tour rookie of the year after winning the Scandinavian Masters, paid tribute to the calming influence of his experienced partner.

'He's so solid tee to green and holing out that you feel you're one or two shots up before you start,' the 25-year-old said.

'Even if you have a bad shot or miss a putt or something, he's always right there telling you it's okay and not to worry about it. He's been a good support to me and that's given me confidence as well.'

England's Luke Donald and David Howell, title favourites at the start of the week, slid into seventh spot after carding a 70 and defending champions Wales tumbled from a two-way tie for fourth overnight into joint 12th after battling to a 75.

Saturday's third round will feature fourball, or best ball, action before the format switches back to foursomes for the final round on Sunday.