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Poulter flirts with 59, takes 1-shot HK lead
Source: Agencies |
November 20, 2010, Saturday
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IAN Poulter flirted with a first 59 on the European Tour as the Briton stormed into the lead with a scintillating 10-under-par 60 in the second round of the co-sanctioned Hong Kong Open yesterday.
Poulter recorded 10 birdies in what would have stood as a new course record had the 'preferred lie' rule not been in effect on the suburban par-70 Fanling course.
The 34-year old, who captured the WGC-Accenture Match-Play Championship earlier this year, soared to 13-under to stand a stroke clear of Korean-born American Anthony Kang going into the weekend.
Kang had earlier recorded a nine-under 61 as he strives to win a second European Tour win after taking last year's Malaysian Open title.
Poulter is competing in Hong Kong for the first time and despite his low round, the Ryder Cup player said he walked from the course with 'mixed emotions'.
"It's one of those golf courses where if you get off to a decent start, you feel as if you can shoot a low number and five-under par on the front nine was a great score", he said.
"I had five birdies in a row from the seventh and then as soon as that happened, I kind of felt there's plenty of chances coming in but really didn't take full advantage.
"So, happy but slightly disappointed."
Poulter's score betters a similar round of 61 he recorded en route to capturing the 2002 Italian Open.
Towards the end of Poulter's round an earth tremor hit Hong Kong just as the current world No. 14 was on the 14th tee.
Report of damage
However, there were no reports of damage or any alarm.
Kang is no stranger to the surroundings having contested every Hong Kong Open since 2001 with his best finish being tied 13th in 2006.
Despite his knowledge of the golf course, the 37-year-old Phoenix, Arizona-based player admitted shooting low was an 'unfamiliar feeling'.
"This is by far my lowest round and what do you say?" he said.
"When you're out there you are just kind of grinding it out, hitting shot after shot, and you forget the score and you just keep going.
"But it's been a long time since I felt in this mood, way too long, over a year-and-a-half ago.
"So it was an unfamiliar feeling, but it was a very nice feeling to be able to not feel too much, and to not be trying to force the issue and just let things happen."
England's Simon Dyson (65) and Rory McIlroy (66) of Northern Ireland share third place on 11-under.
McIlroy spoilt the chance of finishing tied for the lead with his Ryder Cup teammate by recording an ugly double-bogey at the last after putting his approach shot into the water hazard guarding the green.
Six players - Italian Matteo Manassero (63), India's Jeev Milkha Singh (67), Northern Irishman Graeme McDowell (65), Thai Thongchai Jaidee (64) and Fabrizio Zanotti (67) of Paraguay - are tied for fifth place on 10-under.
New Zealand's Mark Brown, who held the first-round lead at eight-under, carded a 69 to be among a group in 11th place at nine-under.
Poulter recorded 10 birdies in what would have stood as a new course record had the 'preferred lie' rule not been in effect on the suburban par-70 Fanling course.
The 34-year old, who captured the WGC-Accenture Match-Play Championship earlier this year, soared to 13-under to stand a stroke clear of Korean-born American Anthony Kang going into the weekend.
Kang had earlier recorded a nine-under 61 as he strives to win a second European Tour win after taking last year's Malaysian Open title.
Poulter is competing in Hong Kong for the first time and despite his low round, the Ryder Cup player said he walked from the course with 'mixed emotions'.
"It's one of those golf courses where if you get off to a decent start, you feel as if you can shoot a low number and five-under par on the front nine was a great score", he said.
"I had five birdies in a row from the seventh and then as soon as that happened, I kind of felt there's plenty of chances coming in but really didn't take full advantage.
"So, happy but slightly disappointed."
Poulter's score betters a similar round of 61 he recorded en route to capturing the 2002 Italian Open.
Towards the end of Poulter's round an earth tremor hit Hong Kong just as the current world No. 14 was on the 14th tee.
Report of damage
However, there were no reports of damage or any alarm.
Kang is no stranger to the surroundings having contested every Hong Kong Open since 2001 with his best finish being tied 13th in 2006.
Despite his knowledge of the golf course, the 37-year-old Phoenix, Arizona-based player admitted shooting low was an 'unfamiliar feeling'.
"This is by far my lowest round and what do you say?" he said.
"When you're out there you are just kind of grinding it out, hitting shot after shot, and you forget the score and you just keep going.
"But it's been a long time since I felt in this mood, way too long, over a year-and-a-half ago.
"So it was an unfamiliar feeling, but it was a very nice feeling to be able to not feel too much, and to not be trying to force the issue and just let things happen."
England's Simon Dyson (65) and Rory McIlroy (66) of Northern Ireland share third place on 11-under.
McIlroy spoilt the chance of finishing tied for the lead with his Ryder Cup teammate by recording an ugly double-bogey at the last after putting his approach shot into the water hazard guarding the green.
Six players - Italian Matteo Manassero (63), India's Jeev Milkha Singh (67), Northern Irishman Graeme McDowell (65), Thai Thongchai Jaidee (64) and Fabrizio Zanotti (67) of Paraguay - are tied for fifth place on 10-under.
New Zealand's Mark Brown, who held the first-round lead at eight-under, carded a 69 to be among a group in 11th place at nine-under.
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