Ian Poulter established a mammoth five shot lead at the half way point of the weather interrupted Barclays Singapore Open after blitzing a flawless seven under par 64 second round at Sentosa Golf Cub.
Daniel Chopra had set the clubhouse lead on Friday at seven-under-par following a bogey free six under 65, but was eclipsed by the brilliant Poulter and the Swede was forced to settle for a share of second with qualifier Chan Yih-shin of Chinese Taipei, who was also bogey free for his 68.
Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell completed his final four holes in five under par courtesy of an eagle at the last to card a six under 65 to join a group including Ernie Els and Søren Kjeldsen tied, currently tenth on the Race to Dubai, for fourth six shots off the pace.
“It feels good. I went out on Friday night and played a couple of holes and started off with two birdies after hitting two shots within 12 inches which was a nice start. Then I was back out there this morning and birdies the par five, birdied the sixth and started to roll some putts in so it was nice,” said Poulter.
“I feel good, I am seeing the putts pretty early. I'm standing over it and seeing my line which is nice and the good thing is I am hitting my lines which is good.”
Returning on Saturday morning after completing three holes of his second round on Friday night in two-under-par, Poulter took advantage of soft receptive greens at the demanding Serapong course to reach the turn in five under 31.
He missed several chances on the way home, including a three foot birdie chance at the last, but was still able to add two further birdies as he continued to show no ill affect of a six week break following the end of a solid season on the US PGA Tour
“It's a little bit surprising to be playing this well after six week break. After six week off you never know how you are going to play. As much practice as I have put in during the six weeks before coming here, I barley played a round of golf. I enjoy practising on the range and then resting after that and that's what I have done and I have been pretty good for it over the last couple of days,” added Poulter.
“I am not going to change how I play, I am just going to keep hitting the shots. I feel as if I'm playing pretty steady, hopefully I have some better golf to come. It sounds silly with a five shot lead, but I feel it's not quite there. But I am feeling my way into a week so if it gets better there are some low scores to come.”
Australia's Andrew Dodt (68), China's former Asian Number One Liang Wen-chong (68) and Peter Lawrie (66) round out the top ten at five under, with Madrid Master champion Ross McGowan tied at four under after a second consecutive 69.
Padraig Harrington beat the cut, which fell at one over par, after a late surge on Friday rescued a 69, although Australian Geoff Ogilvy, currently fifth on the Race to Dubai, and Spain's Gonzalo Fernández-Castaño, who is currently 13th, failed to make the third round.
