Golf-Poulter rallies to reclaim lead in Singapore (Reuters)
October 31, 2009
By John O’Brien
SINGAPORE, Nov 1 (Reuters) – Ian Poulter will take aone-stroke advantage into the final round of the Singapore Openafter the Briton rallied brilliantly early on Sunday to reclaimthe lead at the storm-hit event.
After a third weather delay in as many days suspendedSaturday’s third round, the entire field was forced to returnto the Serapong Course early. The rest appeared to helpPoulter, who had managed to throw away a five-stroke lead insix holes.
Poulter closed with a one-over 72 to sit on 11-under forthe $5 million co-sanctioned event, one ahead of GraemeMcDowell after the Northern Irishman fired a four-under 67.
Chinese number one Liang Wenchong is alone on third oneight-under, two clear of a group of seven players thatincludes, Swede Niclas Fasth, Dane Anders Hansen andco-overnight leader Kodai Ichihara of Japan.
On Saturday, Poulter had squandered his huge advantage overthe field with some erratic play and poor shot selection andwalked off the course under leaden skies tied for the lead oneight-under with Ichihara and France’s Thomas Levet.
He birdied his first hole back, the relatively easypar-five seventh hole, before surrendering back-to-back bogeysaround the turn to slip back to seven-under for the tournament.
The flamboyant Briton parred the 11th before his roundfinally kicked into gear and he recorded four birdies in sixholes to move back to the top of the standings.
McDowell has plotted a gradual climb up the leaderboard allweek and appeared helped by the suspension after an uninspiringfront nine to his truncated round on Saturday that included alone bogey against a string of pars.
However, the 30-year-old stormed into contention on theback nine, coming home in 30 as he picked up fives shots overeight holes before a disappointing par at the par-five 18thprevented him from ending the round in a tie for the lead.
American world number two Phil Mickelson is seven off thepace on four-under while Ireland’s Padraig Harrington is wellout of contention on two-over for the tournament.
In an attempt to finish the event on schedule, the groupsthat went out on Saturday will remain intact for the last 18holes. (Editing by Peter Rutherford; To query or comment on thisstory email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)
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