Poulter leads into the weekend

Britain's Ian Poulter produced another consistent performance at Celtic Manor on Friday to lead the Wales Open for a second day.

But tournament favourite and highest world ranked player in Wales, Colin Montgomerie, just missed the cut by a stroke.

A five-under-par 67 that took Poulter to 12-under-par 132 gave him the lead on his own this time, by two from local favourite Phillip Price of Wales, who carded a 66.

It was Price who pipped Poulter for the tenth and final European Ryder Cup place in 2001 but the Englishman only has winning his fourth title on his mind after five birdies, despite still suffering from tonsillitis.

Consistency is just what the 27-year-old Englishman craved when he went to see top teacher David Leadbetter and Poulter is finding it, making only one bogey in 36 holes and setting up more than the five birdie chances he took.

"I felt a bit stronger this morning," said Poulter, who is taking antibiotics to try to alleviate his sore throat. "I felt a bit more like myself and had more energy. Obviously the tablets are kicking in.

"But I played the same as yesterday, didn't try to hit the ball too hard, hit a lot of fairways and greens and gave myself a lot of birdie chances.

"It's pretty consistent to make only one bogey but one bogey in 72 holes would be very handy."

Montgomerie's 71 left him only level par when the cut came at one-under. The seven-times European number one said that only poor putting hads let him down and insisted his preparations for the U.S. Open next month were not affected.

"He should be contending," added Poulter, "but some of the top seeds can't play well all the time."

Montgomerie's Ryder Cup team mate Price, the player who beat the then world number two Phil Mickelson in the Belfry singles last year, by contrast can once again enjoy the British gallery's accolades after producing a faultless card.

Despite Montgomerie being favourite it is the 36-year-old Welshman who has received star billing at Celtic Manor, with his face all over bill posters and clips of his win over Mickelson shown over and again on the on-course television screens.

While that served to inspire him, he said, it did not provide extra pressure, but his very status as a Welshman did.

"A Welshman has never won this, so just trying to win is the only pressure that I have," said Price, looking for his third European Tour title this week.

"Maybe there is a little more expectation but that comes with the territory this week."

South African Darren Fichardt, finally coming to grips with a virtually new set of clubs he changed to after winning his second European event, the Qatar Masters, in March, holds third place three behind Poulter after a 67.

Zimbabwean Mark McNulty, seeking his 17th European Tour title before being eligible for seniors tours next year, is a further stroke back after a 67.

Joint overnight leader Nick O'Hern of Australia shot a 72 to be in the group five off the pace.

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