Sick Poulter leads Masters by two shots

England’s Ian Poulter retained his lead after the second round of the Australian Masters despite a “terrible” ball-striking display due to a bout of food poisoning.

The flamboyant Englishman was physically ill on Friday morning but still emerged with a two-shot break heading into the weekend at Victoria Golf Club.

Poulter is nine-under par for the tournament after rounds of 65 and 68, two strokes ahead of NSW player Matthew Giles, while Victorian Ashley Hall is a further shot back in third spot.

World No.1 Luke Donald sits at three-under the card, while defending champion Stuart Appleby was forced to withdraw due to a painful back injury.

Few players produced standout charges on Friday, although club member Geoff Ogilvy picked up five shots to move into contention at five-under par.

Greg Chalmers is also reasonably placed in his bid for a triple crown of Australian Open, PGA and Masters titles, heading into the third round at three-under.

World No.28 Poulter said he was ill before he drove to the course for the start of round two.