Friday 29 September 2017 14:57, UK
Ian Poulter was delighted with how he defied the elements on day two of the British Masters as he put himself firmly in contention with a five-under 65.
Poulter, who hosted the tournament on its return to the European Tour schedule two years ago, mixed six birdies with just one "sloppy" dropped shot in the latter stages of his round to enter the clubhouse just three off the lead on nine under par.
Friday's early starters were hampered by persistent rain at Close House, but Poulter made light of the difficulties and, after starting at the 10th, he reeled off four consecutive birdies from the 12th in a superb back-nine 31.
He did well to save par from tricky positions in a run of eight straight pars which he broke with another birdie at the sixth, although a poor tee-shot at the next cost him his only blemish of the round.
But the Ryder Cup legend bounced back immediately with a birdie at the next and closed out an excellent day's work with a par at nine to stay within striking distance of leader, and playing partner, Tyrrell Hatton.
"The back nine, my front nine, I had four birdies on the spin and it's always nice to have a little run like that," said Poulter, who was celebrating his 10th wedding anniversary. "I missed a couple of greens once I made the turn but made a couple of decent up-and-downs.
"It was a sloppy bogey, really, on seven. Just hit hybrid off the tee, pulled it left, missed the fairway and it was awkward from there being blocked out. But it was a decent bounce-back birdie there at the next.
"I'm playing well, it's nice to come over and play well, and it's nice to be in contention. Hopefully, it'll be a nice weekend with some decent weather. This morning was pretty miserable, the brolly was up and down all morning, and we got quite wet out there at times.
"But I'm hitting the ball pretty solid, so I'm going to give myself decent chances if I continue to have looks from kind of inside 15 feet. I feel like I'm hitting it how I want to hit it and putting it in play a lot. I'm giving myself plenty of chances, and when that happens, hopefully, you get a few putts to drop and it adds up to a decent score."
