Ian Poulter squandered a commanding six shot second round lead to be one stroke behind heading to the final day of the Turkish Airlines Open in Belek.
Australia’s Wade Ormsby took full advantage of Poulter’s problems superbly eagling his ninth hole in a round of 68 and move to 12-under par on the Montgomerie Maxx Royal course.
Poulter ended his second round in the storm-affected event with a 10-under par total and six shots clear of five players including Ormsby.
But after a bogey to start his third round Poulter continued to struggle on route to taking a double bogey when his wedge shot into the short par four 15th hit a tree before ending his round one behind Ormsby and tied with fellow Englishman Lee Westwood (67) and Germany’s in-form Marcel Siem (66).
Ian Poulter in trouble during his third round of the Turkish Airlines Open. (Photo – Fran Caffrey/www.golffile.ie)
“I wasn’t aggressive enough this afternoon and I just made mistakes, and notably on 15,” said Poulter.
“That was a real lack of judgment there that led to a double‑bogey, which was a real shame.
“I’ve now brought a lot of players back into the fray. Their dinner is going to taste lovely tonight and mine is going to taste horrible.”
Ormsby, 34 was one of the last entrants into the $US 7m event and, at 78th on the Race to Dubai and ranked 240th in the world, and in his 200th Tour event, he is one round away from nearly doubling the prize money he’s earned on the European Tour since making his debut in 2004.
If successful, the Adelaide-born player, who has had eight visits Tour School in his career, also would move into the top-10 on the Race to Dubai.o the top-10 on the money list.
It would also mean a first appearance in the season-finale DP World Tour Championship.
“I was due to fly to Melbourne next week and play in the Australian Masters but then I would be delighted to change my flight to Dubai,” he said.
“However I’ve been playing well the last two years because after losing my European Tour card at the end of 2011 I started playing more on the Asian Tour and had my first victory last year that was nice.
“I then got my card back for the European Tour at the Tour School at the end of last year so I’ve been able to play a full schedule this year in Europe.
“And having that first win last year I am sure is going to help me tomorrow. All we are trying to do each week out on tour is to get yourself in position where you have a chance at winning.
“It doesn’t matter whether it’s on the Asian Tour or here on the European Tour as it’s the same process, so all I can do tomorrow is draw on my good experiences the past two seasons.”
Siem birdied four of his last eight holes as he seeks to win just a fortnight after capturing the BMW Masters in Shanghai.
If successful in Turkey, he could then deny Rory McIlroy the Race to Dubai No 1 crown with victory also next week in Dubai, and as long as McIlroy finishes outside the top-17 in the UAE.
“The Race to Dubai looks like it is becoming it more interesting now for everybody, and for sure, I’ll give it a shot tomorrow, try my best,” said Siem.
“That’s what we are out here for, and there’s why it’s called Race to Dubai.”
And American John Daly has not ruled out ending a decade long winless drought in adding a 67 to move to a share of eighth place on eight under par.
“It would be a nice way to round of my last event of the year but then I’ve got to hit more fairways tomorrow,” said Daly.
“I’m only four shots behind and you can make up that deficit in a few holes out here.”
