Poulter laments his 'silly' putting

Published on Saturday 11 April 2009 23:28

IAN Poulter gave himself an outside chance of slipping into the green jacket this evening after a four-under-par 68 in the third round at Augusta yesterday, but the Englishman was "steaming" over one costly error.

After his fourth three-putt bogey of the week on the ninth holes, the Open runner-up said: "That's silly. I've mapped out the greens the last three years and got every break, but I had a slight misread and then didn't hit the second putt hard enough.

"It was annoying and if I've got seven shots to make up (in the final round] it might be a push.

"I would have taken 68 before the start because I didn't hit it at all well on the range and then had a shank with my third shot to the second," added Poulter, who shared the early clubhouse lead with American Sean O'Hair on four under. "But I got my tempo back and I just hope the guys don't get too far ahead."

Americans Steve Flesch and O'Hair recorded the best early scores. O'Hair shot a 68 for 212, four under, while Flesch posted a 68 for 213.

One big name who didn't make it through to the weekend was South African Gary Player, who ended his record 52nd Masters appearance on Friday with a bogey, a tear and a rousing standing ovation.

Dressed in his trademark black golf shirt and pants, the 73-year-old Black Knight declared: "I'll never forget that as long as I live."

Player's farewell closes one of the greatest chapters in the history of Augusta National as he becomes the final member of golf's "big three" to sign off from the Masters following long-time rivals Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus.