Poulter slips 3 shots off the pace after 73 at Macau Open
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Ian Poulter played like a golfer returning from a four-month break on Friday, losing his first-round lead and slipping into a share for 11th at the halfway mark of the Macau Open after carding a 2-over 73 in the second round.
Anirban Lahiri overcame an early triple-bogey on the par-5 12th to move into a five-way share of the lead at 8-under 134 with a 68 in the second round.
Scott Vincent's 64 was the lowest score on Friday at the par-71 Macau Golf and Country Club, and he joined 2014 champion Lahiri, Chikkarangappa (65), Sutijet Kooratanappisan (66) and Kalem Richardson (67) in the lead heading into the weekend.
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"Obviously not the start I was looking for but I was confident if I could claw myself back, I could put a score together," said Lahiri, who recovered with five birdies and an eagle. "I'm still a bit disappointed I didn't birdie one of the last three holes. However, I'm happy to keep myself in it."
Carlos Pigem, who had a share of the first-round lead with Poulter, followed his opening 64 with an even-par 71 to slip into sixth.
After opening with a 64 on Thursday — his first competitive round since missing the cut at Colonial — Poulter had a double-bogey 7 at the 12th and three more bogeys in the second round, but made some ground back with three birdies as he slipped to a 73.
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Poulter was coming off 14 weeks on the sidelines because of an arthritic joint in his right foot, although he remained involved as a non-playing vice captain for Europe in its Ryder Cup loss to the United States.
Darren Clarke, Europe's Ryder Cup captain, missed the halfway cut, following up his opening 74 with a marginally improved 73.