Poulter in charge in Turkey
Ian Poulter took control of the Turkish Airlines Open on Saturday as he moved six shots clear at the weather-hit tournament.
The Englishman was three shots ahead of his rivals when play was halted at the soggy Montgomerie Maxx Royal on Friday afternoon due to a thunderstorm and more bad weather overnight pushed back the restart by an hour on Saturday morning.
However, the weather failed to dampen Poulter’s spirits and he completed his second round with a six-under-par 66 to go with his opening 64.
After starting the morning at five under, the 38-year-old birdied the 15th and then finished with three consecutive pars to move to 14 under for the tournament.
“I played exactly the same last week but didn’t hole my putts,” he said. “I’m taking my chances this week and I need to continue to do that even in the tricky conditions. There are still five par fives, people can still make birdies so I am going to need to do exactly the same.
“It’s really exciting (to be in this position) – 2014 was looking pretty glum, hopefully we can turn it into a good one.”
Poulter has a healthy lead over Ireland’s Shane Lowry, Miguel Angel Jimenez, American Brooks Koepka, Australian Wade Ormsby and South African pair Branden Grace and Hennie Otto.
Lowry also carded a six under while Spaniard Jimenez followed up his opening 63 with a one-over-par 73.
American Peter Uihlein produced the best second-round score as he carded a five-under-par 65 to move to seven under for the tournament.
Latest
-
European Tour‘Is this where I am going to die?’ Nicolas Colsaerts on kidney disorder battle
The Belgian is the focus of attention this week as he belatedly defends the Cazoo Open de France title he won three years ago.
-
Ryder CupOn this day in 2008: Ryder Cup misery in Louisville for Nick Faldo’s Europe team
Faldo was heavily criticised for his tactics in the closing singles.
-
LIV GolfOpen champion Cameron Smith wins first LIV trophy in just second start
The world number two is the highest-ranked player to join the rebel series.
-
European TourRobert MacIntyre beats Matt Fitzpatrick in play-off to win Italian Open
MacIntyre birdied the first extra hole at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club, the venue for next year’s Ryder Cup.
-
European TourMatt Fitzpatrick holds narrow lead ahead of final round at Italian Open
Rory McIlroy and Aaron Rai are one shot off the pace.
-
European TourRory McIlroy picks up the pace to claim lead ahead of Matt Fitzpatrick in Rome
McIlroy’s group looked unlikely to complete their second rounds after taking three hours to play nine holes.
-
NewsMatt Fitzpatrick leads way at Italian Open despite ‘inconsistent’ display
The US Open champion held a one-shot lead over fellow Englishman Tom Lewis,
-
European TourRory McIlroy rues a late night until eagle gets him flying in Italian Open
The four-time major winner was only a shot behind leader Matt Fitzpatrick after the first round of the Rome event.
-
European TourRory McIlroy begins Italian Open with superb 67 after recovering from slow start
He kick-started his round by holing out from 115 yards for an eagle on the par-four third.
-
European TourShane Lowry: Golf risks alienating fans with disgusting amount of money involved
The BMW PGA Championship winner insists he was never tempted to join LIV Golf.