Ian Poulter Leads Rain Shortened Second Round In Turkey

Sep 27, 2014; Auchterarder, Perthshire, SCT; European golfer Ian Poulter reacts to holing out a 40 yard chip on the 15th hole on day two of the 2014 Ryder Cup at Gleneagles Resort – PGA Centenary Course. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Not even the rain, and foul weather could stop 38 year-old Ian Poulter from grabbing the lead at the Turkish Airlines Open on Friday afternoon. The weather forced players off the Montgomerie Maxx Golf Course shortly after lunch, and was eventually suspended after a second front came through, forcing a suspension of play for the rest of the afternoon. Play had started 90 minutes ahead of schedule in hopes of getting it done today, but the second round will resume at 8 AM on Saturday morning.

When the horn blew for the last time, Ian Poulter had a three shot lead over Brendon de Jonge from Zimbabwe, and was through the 14th hole. Poulter had another nice day in Turkey, making the turn at three under par, and with one bogey on his card, is five under on the day, and 13 under for the tournament.

More from Pro Golf Now

The Ryder Cup specialist likes the Colin Montgomerie designed course in Antalya, and with his opening round 64 on Thursday, is 27 under par in his last five rounds here. He obviously doesn’t like the 12th hole, because the only two bogeys on his card this week came at 490 yard par four.

Brendon de Jonge is through 13 holes in his second round, is at 10 under par for the championship, and three under on the day. De Jonge plays most of his golf on the PGA Tour, and started his second round on the back nine.

Aussie, Wade Ormsby, and American, Brooks Koepka are on nine under par, and four shots back. Koepka is six under on the day, and has moved up 20 spots in the standings. The young American is through 15 holes. Ormsby is two under on the day, and was through 16 holes when play was halted.

First round leader, 51 year-old Miguel Angel Jimenez had a rough day on Friday. The senior Spaniard is one over par on the day, and has dropped into a tie for fifth place with South African, Branden Grace.

The “Mechanic” got off to a great start with birdies on the opening holes before the huge greens, and the weather caught up with him. He made the turn at one under on the day, but bogeyed the 12th and 13th holes before play saws stopped, leaving him five strokes off the pace.

Marcel Siem continues as the low player who is mathematically still able to unseat Race To Dubai leader Rory McIlroy. Siem is through nine holes in the second round, but at two under par for his total, is tied for 35th place, and is even par for the day.

Siem eased into fourth place in the standings after his win at the BMW Masters two weeks ago in Shanghai, but needs to win in Turkey, and win in Dubai next week with McIlroy finishing 17th or worse for him to stand a chance to win the Race To Dubai championship.

The number two player in RTD standings, Jamie Donaldson, is also through nine holes, and his one over par total has him tied for 56th place, and well off the lead,

The number three man, Sergio Garcia is having a horrible time in Turkey, and is tied with Donaldson, and others at one over par for the championship. He needs to win in Turkey and Dubai, with Rory finishing no better than fourth for him to win the 2014 title.

Home/European tour