Rookie Ian Poulter takes a three-shot lead into the final round of the Italian Open at Is Molas in Sardinia after a flawless 65, seven under par, took him to 18 under par. The 24-year-old Englishman, who is challenging Scotland’s Alastair Forsyth for the Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year Award, is leading for the first time in his fledgling European Tour career ahead of Van Phillips, Ricardo Gonzalez, Roger Wessels and Francisco Cea.
Poulter showed why he is one of the most promising newcomers to the Tour with his aggressive shotmaking over the last nine holes. Having picked up two birdies on an outward half of 33, Poulter fired five birdies in the space of six holes from the 12th. He could also have added an eagle to his tally after an outstanding two iron on the 16th finished 10 feet short of the pin but the putt stayed above ground. And after finding an awkward lie through the green on the last, Poulter saved his par by holing a 15 footer.
“It will be a new experience tomorrow,” he said. “I like it. See how we do tomorrow.
“I’m a positive person. I always think I can win otherwise I wouldn’t be playing. I like to put myself in position which I have done a couple of times this year. It’s going to be a different experience going out in the lead tomorrow. That’s where I want to be. You have to shoot these scores to be in those positions.”
Poulter is currently 55th in the Volvo Order of Merit having earned €243,474 compared to Forsyth’s €304,351 but with the Scotsman missing the cut, Poulter has the chance to edge ahead in the race to follow in Sergio Garcia’s footsteps as the Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year.
“It would be quite an honour. I am trying not to think about it. I’m trying to think of the top 20 in the Volvo Order of Merit. If we can get in that position then it opens bigger doors. If I keep shooting these scores then it should be there for the taking. I am sure Alastair (Forsyth) is not going to give it up too easily. He is the one who is in front.”
Another Englishman Van Phillips dropped a shot on the last after pulling his approach shot into the left hand bunker to fall back to 15 under as he chases a second European Tour title following his success in Portugal last year.
South African Roger Wessels has a maiden victory in his sights after a round of 68 took him to 15 under as does Argentina’s Ricardo Conzalez. Both are assured of a place in the Volvo Masters next week so are simply out to win while Spaniard Francisco Cea has more important things on his mind. The 26-year-old from Malaga is 136th in the Volvo Order of Merit and needs a top three finish to secure his Tour card for the 2001 season. A round of 68 following his course record 63 in the second round has given himself the chance.
New Zealander Elliot Boult is another playing needing something special to secure a card for next year and after opening with an eagle three picked up two more birdies on the outward half to open up a three shot lead. But his shot into the water on the short tenth would have felt like a stiletto in the heart as he slid back down the field with a back nine of 39. He now finds himself in a share of sixth place as he chases a top two finish.
