Justin Rose blossoms in Florida

Rose was in second place, a stroke behind American Bubba Watson after they had spectacular rounds of 64 and 62 respectively in each other’s company.

Poulter, on the other hand, was in second last place on nine over par – 21 shots behind Watson – a week after pulling out of an event and being diagnosed with pneumonia.

With no halfway cut, the former world No.5 has two more rounds and three more weeks to try to find some form going into the Masters, but it is his 2008 Ryder Cup partner who has the chance to make this a really big weekend.

The 31-year-old is a three-time winner in the States already, but he could now join Poulter in lifting one of the sport’s world championships – especially with Tiger Woods seven off the pace, new world No.1 Rory McIlroy ten behind and third-ranked Lee Westwood one further back.

Rose and Watson had an eagle and 17 birdies between them on a day when Doral’s Blue Monster course lacked the bite of the opening round.

“I think today was the first time in a while I put it all together,” said Rose, trying to make it back-to-back European victories in America after McIlroy’s Honda Classic success last Sunday.

“Actually (coach) Sean Foley said to me: ‘Your short game is unbelievable right now, you’re driving it great and your irons are typically the best part of your game, so put it all together and you’re in good shape’.

“It’s a nice feeling. I had a good off-season, I practised well and I came into the year feeling confident.”

Left-hander Watson is one of the biggest hitters in golf and, like Rose, would move into the world’s top ten by winning.

As for the battle at the top, McIlroy could need a good closing 36 holes to stop Luke Donald from taking the number one spot back from him after a week. If Donald finishes fourth, the 22-year-old Northern Irishman has to finish 25th to stay ahead – and they will resume in tenth and 28th places.

Reflecting on his three-under-par 69, McIlroy said: “I felt OK. I couldn’t get the speed of the greens – that was the real problem. I played the par fives well and my other couple of birdies were tap-ins.

“So I just didn’t hole anything, which wasn’t great. I got off to a good start and couldn’t quite keep it going, but felt like I played some good shots out there. I just didn’t hole many putts.”

Westwood also came into the tournament with an opportunity to regain the position he last held in May last year, but for that to happen he needed to win and even with a 67 yesterday he is down in a tie for 34th place.

Woods, meanwhile, could go as high as fourth on the rankings if he came charging through to win – and he will be thinking it is still possible a week after he closed with a 62 in finishing second to McIlroy.