Enlarge imageBy John O'Brien
SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Ian Poulter stormed five shots clear of the field at the rain-hit Singapore Open on Saturday, returning early to complete a flawless seven-under 64 second round for a 12-under-par total.
The 33-year-old Poulter took a six-week break prior to this week's co-sanctioned $5 million (3 million pound) event and the rest appears to have rejuvenated the flamboyant Englishman, who has recorded just one bogey in 36 holes around the demanding Serapong Course.
"I am a little surprised to be playing well after the break. Six weeks off, you never know how you are going to play," Poulter told reporters.
"As much practice as I put in prior to coming here, I had barely played a round of golf. I enjoyed the range work and resting up after that and it has served me well in the last couple of days."
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Overnight leader Daniel Chopra of Sweden is tied for second with Taiwanese qualifier Chan Yih-shin, one clear of a group of six players on six-under which includes South Africa's Ernie Els, Swede Niclas Fasth and Denmark's Soren Kjeldsen.
Following weather delays in the opening two days, only 61 players had completed their second round by Friday, forcing Poulter and a majority of the field to return to the course early Saturday.
SURGE CLEAR
The Briton had made a good start Friday evening to join clubhouse leader Chopra on seven-under par and he continued to burn up the course on his resumption, birdying three of the next five holes to surge three clear by the turn.
"I went out last night and played a couple of holes and got a couple of birdies where my approaches were really close," Poulter added. "This morning, I carried on where I left off and sank a few putts."
He added two more birdies on a steady back nine to leave himself in a strong position to record his first European Tour victory since winning the Madrid Open in September 2006.
"I am just going to keep hitting the shots I am hitting. I felt as if I am playing pretty steady," Poulter said.
"Hopefully, there's some better golf to come. It sounds silly with a five-shot lead, but my game is not quite there. I am feeling my way into a week so it should get better and there will be more good scores to come."
The cut was made at one-over par, meaning big names Geoff Ogilvy of Australia and Korea's K.J. Choi (both +2) failed to qualify for the final two rounds.
American world number two Phil Mickelson (-2), Briton's Justin Rose (par), Ireland's Padraig Harrington (+1) and twice former champion Adam Scott (+1) will all be around for the remainder of the tournament.
(Editing by Nick Mulvenney)
