Poulter surges into contention at halfway point at Augusta

Apr 9, 2010, 22:25 GMT

Augusta, Georgia - Englishman Ian Poulter surged into contention for a first major triumph after he fired a 4-under-par 68 to take the early clubhouse lead in the second round on Friday.

Poulter, who broke into the world's top 10 earlier this year on the back of his triumph in the Accenture World Matchplay Championship, carded a second straight 68 to be 8-under-par at the halfway point in the first Major of the year.

Overnight leader Fred Couples suffered a nightmare finish as he bogeyed four of the last five holes to finish with a 76 and drop back to 3-under-par.

World No 1 Tiger Woods added a 70 to his first-round 68 to be 6- under-par, the same as KJ Choi and Ricky Barnes, but Padraig Harrington and Rory McIlroy both missed the halfway cut.

Poulter picked up five birdies and looked set to end on 9-under- par only for a bogey at the 18th hole to take a little of the gloss off his round, but he is still in a superb position going into the weekend.

'I enjoyed it very much,' Poulter said. 'When you hit the ball very well it is a joy to play here. I was really solid today and had plenty of chances. I hit a lot of good golf shots.

'In the last 18 months I've put a lot of work into my game. My putting, I'm very confident with that in my hand. If putts aren't going in they are having a look and burning the edges.

'I do feel calm on the golf course, I was very calm at the Matchplay and not been nervous here all week.'

Woods is bang in contention after a 70 to follow his 68 on day one. 'I played well all day and played a lot of good shots,' he said.

'I played a lot better today than yesterday. The conditions are very difficult out there, it's difficult to pick a club with the way the wind is gusting around.'