Overnight leader Ian Poulter nailed 30-foot birdie putts on his last two holes to move clear of US Open champion Graeme McDowell with a third-round six-under 64 at the Hong Kong Open yesterday.
Britain’s Poulter, who hit a sizzling 60 in his second round, was tied with Ryder Cup teammate McDowell on 17-under with two holes to play on the suburban Fanling course.
The world No. 14 rolled in a 30-foot putt at the par-four 17th and then had Hong Kong fans applauding even louder when he sank a similar length curler at the last for a 19-under total.
The 34-year-old had earlier birdied his second hole and holed a 12-foot putt for eagle at the par-five third hole.
Poulter then stalled, however, with nine straight pars, before birdies at 13 and his last two holes.
Simon Dyson (65) will start the final round in third place at 16-under, while Anthony Kang of the US (67) and Britain’s Rory McIlroy (66) are at 15-under.
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