Poulter closes in on Dustin Johnson in Shanghai

Ian Poulter of England lines up a putt during the thrid round of the WGC – HSBC Champions at the Sheshan International Golf Club

To say scores were low on Saturday at the HSBC Champions at the Sheshan International Golf Club in Shanghai is something of an understatement. The top five players of the day combined for a total of 41-under-par. Five players. Leading the way was Martin Kaymer, now in 7th, who shot ten birdies for a course record of 62 – beating the mark of 63 he tied two years ago while winning this tournament. Next came Ian Poulter with a 63 (2nd), and Graeme McDowell with a 64 (3rd), and so on…

Second round leader Dustin Johnson saw his five-shot lead trimmed to three after a 6-under-par 66, but DJ had two double bogeys to go with ten birdies, including a seven on the last hole, which, he said, left him “a little mad”. But he’s still the man to beat and will be paired with Poulter and McDowell for Sunday’s final round, with Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose and Canada’s Graham DeLaet just ahead of them.

Liang Wenchong is China’s best-placed competitor, tied for 22nd at -5, but still13 shots behind Johnson after an ever-par 72. Huang Wenyi is two shots behind after a 69. Huang, 32, is China’s fourth best player right now with a world ranking of 822 (which tells you everything you need to know about the current state of the men’s game, though that will change). His T7 finish at the BMW International Open in Munich in June is about the only result of note in his career, though he had a decent first round at the BMW Masters in Shanghai last week. Maybe he likes the car…