Golf:Ian Poulter took advantage of a late slip from Rory McIlroy to storm his way to the top of the leaderboard at the UBS Hong Kong Open after blitzing the Fanling course in just 60 strokes.
It moved the English golfer to 13 under par, one shot clear of America’s Anthony Kang, with McIlroy and Simon Dyson a shot further back on 11 under.
Poulter’s lead could have been even greater had he sank a birdie putt from 15 feet on the 17th, but the ball stopped just short of the hole.
McIlroy, twice a runner-up at the event, made it to 13 under after an eagle and five birdies in his second round, but found water from the bunker at the par-four 18th and went on to suffer a double bogey as he signed for a 66 to go with his opening 63.
“He (Poulter) is playing very well and he’ll be tough to beat this week,” said McIlroy. “I’ll just have to go out this weekend and try and play really well.”
McIlroy saw firsthand how it was done today as he played in the same three-ball as Poulter, who looked set to record the first 59 on the European Tour after picking up nine birdies in his first 14 holes on the par-70 layout.
Poulter’s round set a new record for the course as he moved ahead of Kang, who had earlier shot a course-record equalling nine under 61.
“It is one of those courses where if you can get off to a good start you really feel you can shoot a good number,” said Poulter.
“I had five birdies from the seventh and as soon as that happened I felt there were plenty of chances coming in. I am happy but slightly disappointed.”
Graeme McDowell kept up his pursuit of Martin Kaymer on the Race to Dubai by carding a five under 65 for the second day to move to 10 under and a share of fifth place going in to the weekend.
“It is tough not to get frustrated with this golf course because you feel you should birdie every hole,” said McDowell. “You have got to make yourself stay patient.”
Michael Hoey also shot a 65 to lie six shots off Poulter on seven under, with Gareth Maybin a shot further back after making it back-to-back rounds of 67.
Damien McGrane could only manage a level par round of 70 and remains on five under, with Dubliner Peter Lawrie on four under after a 66. Darren Clarke joined him on that mark after showing some of his old sparkle in recording a 64, a round that included an eagle and six birdies.
Paul McGinley will also be around for the weekend after a 68 today left him on three under.
Shane Lowry was the odd man out of the nine Irish golfers taking part after a 73 left him on one over, three shots off the cut. It ends his hopes of making it to the season-ending Dubai World Championship as he presently lies in 62nd position on the money list with only the top 60 teeing it up next week.
