Ian Poulter beats illness to stay in charge

IAN Poulter, battling to overcome a bout of food poisoning, sank birdie putts at the final two holes for a three-under 68 and a two-stroke lead after the second round of the JB Were Australian Masters in Melbourne yesterday.

The Englishman, who woke up feeling ill after taking a one-shot lead in the first round, had a nine-under 133 halfway total at Victoria Golf Club.

Matthew Giles was in second place after a 68, while fellow Australian Ashley Hall was third after a 70.

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World No 1 Luke Donald was at three-under after a 70, while defending champion Stuart Appleby was forced to withdraw due to a painful back injury.

Greg Chalmers, also three-under after a 70, is trying to become the second player to complete the Australian Triple Crown after winning the Australian Open and Australian PGA last month. Robert Allenby accomplished the feat in 2005.

Poulter, who overtook the leaders with consecutive birdies on the two closing par-5 holes, said the weather over the final two days would be the key for players at the head of the field.

“Wind is the protection for this golf course. If it blows a strong 30 (miles per hour) and they put the pins in tricky positions, the scoring’s not really going to go anywhere.”

Poulter said he was ill before he drove to the course for the start of the second round. “I woke up this morning and wasn’t good at all,” he said. “Must have had something bad to eat unfortunately, so I felt a bit weak out there today.

“And it showed. I hit it terrible, got myself out of position a number of times, but my short game was on and I holed a few nice putts. So to look back at the round, I would have taken that score.”

Scotland’s James Byrne missed the cut after carding a 75 for 149.

“I’ve not been at my best this week, nor in recent weeks, but I am still learning at this stage in my career,” said the Banchory player.

His next assignment is the Asian Tour Qualifying School next month.

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