Poulter makes flying start
Englishman shoots 65 to lead in Melbourne. Luke four back
Last Updated: December 15, 2011 8:54am
Ian Poulter in action during the opening round in Melbourne
Ian Poulter outshone world number one Luke Donald on day one of the 2011 JBWere Australian Masters by shooting a six-under 65 to finish with a one-shot lead.
Poulter's flying start edged him in front of local man Ashley Hall and two clear of Peter Lonard, Matthew Griffin, Kieran Pratt, Jarrod Lyle, Matthew Giles and Mahal Pearce.
Aus unless stated
-6 I Poulter (Eng)
-5 A Hall
-4 M Pearce (NZ)
-4 K Pratt
-4 J Lyle
-4 P Lonard
-4 M Griffin
-4 M Giles
Donald is still very much in the picture though and sits tied 11th after a bogey-free 69 at the par 71 Victoria Golf Club.
Poulter, dressed in lilac tartan trousers, lilac sweater and matching lilac shoes, dropped a shot at his second hole, the 11th, when he three-putted from 20 feet.
But he made up for that one blemish with seven birdies, four on the front and three on the back, for his 65.
Poulter only played the course for the first time in Wednesday's pro-am, but liked what he saw.
Enjoy
"I enjoy playing that kind of golf," Poulter said following his round.
"A number of the courses we play week in week out it seems like you are taking your driver head cover off on every single par four, par five and the odd the par three.
"It's nice not to do that. It's nice to hit the odd iron off the tee. So I like the way this golf course sets up for me."
Donald, meanwhile, felt he missed the opportunity to shoot a low number.
"Obviously it was a perfect day for scoring," said Donald before heading across the road to Royal Melbourne to conduct a clinic.
"I hit it quite well on the back nine but (on) my front nine just made no putts.
"Two birdies, no bogeys could have been a lot worse, could have been a little bit better, but it's something to build on.
"I didn't strike it that great but missed some opportunities on the greens."
Donald's round was two shots better than the 71 returned by playing partner and local favourite Geoff Ogilvy while Robert Allenby had to settle for a two-over 73.
Defending champion Stuart Appleby returned a one-under 70 after deciding at the last minute that he was fit to play.
The 40-year-old had been in doubt with a chronic back injury and played with a back brace clearly visible under his black shirt.
Greg Chalmers, who is chasing the Triple Crown after winning the Australian Open and Australian PGA titles, is nicely placed at two-under.
