Ian Poulter slams putting display after making cut at Wentworth

By Ali Stafford at Wentworth

Ian Poulter has branded his putting as "absolutely shocking" after stuttering in to the weekend at the BMW PGA Championship.

The Englishman bounced back from an opening-round 76 at Wentworth with a much-improved 69 on Friday, despite requiring 34 putts during his second round.

Poulter reached the turn level-par before following a 25-foot gain at the 10th with a 15-foot eagle at the par-five 12th, only to miss a string of birdie chances along the closing stretch.

Image: Poulter is planning to play more European Tour events over the summer

"It was absolutely shocking today," Poulter said about his putting after his round. "Not good enough. I don't know how many words to describe how poor I thought it was to be honest with you.

"It was pathetic, it really was. It was unacceptable, the putting's not good enough. My game's in shape. I've hit 17 greens in regulation today on a tricky golf course. So I'm pleased about that.

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"I'm pleased that I haven't flown all the way across the pond to not be playing golf at the weekend, because I would be seriously p***ed off if I was sitting at home this weekend."

Poulter came to the Rolex Series opener looking to maintain his recent resurgence in form, which has seen him finish joint runner-up at the Players Championship and move back inside the world's top 100.

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The 41-year-old heads in to the weekend within seven strokes of early second-round pacesetter Thomas Pieters, but is frustrated not to be further up the leaderboard.

Image: Pieters set the pace after the Friday morning session

"I could have given myself a lie-in," Poulter added. "It's frustrating because I'm not holing the putts I feel I should.

"When you hit good golf shots on tricky golf holes and you hit it to eight feet, you want to take advantage of it.

"You're not doing your job when you've broken the back of the hole with two great shots and you're not taking advantage where you should."

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