Poulter shoots 60 to lead McIlroy in Hong Kong

Ian Poulter hit a magnificent ten under-par 60 to lead after round two of the UBS Hong Kong Open on Friday.

Poulter had trailed overnight leader Mark Brown by five shots heading into the second round, but his 60, which included five birdies in succession from the seventh to the eleventh, saw him rocket up to the top of the leaderboard on -13, one shot clear of American Anthony Kang and two shots clear of Rory McIlroy and Simon Dyson.

Poulter’s score set the new course record at the Hong Kong course, beating Kang, who had earlier registered a record-equalling 61, and Poulter could have gone one better had his birdie effort at the 17th not fallen just short of the hole.

“It is one of those courses where if you can get off to a good start you really feel you can shoot a good number,” said Poulter.

“I had five birdies from the seventh and as soon as that happened I felt there were plenty of chances coming in.

“I am happy but slightly disappointed,” he added.

McIlroy would have been level with Poulter at the top of the leaderboard had he not scored a double bogey on the last to finish with a 66 to add to his first round of 63, which leaves him on -11.

Graeme McDowell is a shot behind McIlroy on -10, a share of fifth place, Michael Hoey is currently -7, Gareth Maybin is a shot further back on -6, Damien McGrane is -5, Peter Lawrie and Darren Clarke are -4, Paul McGinley is -3, while Shane Lowry missed the cut after finishing on +1.