Poulter closes gap on Scott at Singapore Open

Singapore :Defending champion Ian Poulter closed the gap on Australia`s Adam Scott to one shot at the top of the Singapore Open leaderboard midway through the third round on Saturday.

Scott, bidding to become the event`s first three-times winner after his victories in 2005 and 2006, was leading the way on 14-under-par at the Sentosa Golf Club`s Serapong course. Poulter, playing with Scott in the final group, began the day two shots adrift of the Australian but picked up a shot after an outward nine of 33, helped by a superb eagle at the fourth hole.U.S. Open winner Graeme McDowell, who is chasing Martin Kaymer for the Race to Dubai title, struggled with his game early on but was still hanging onto the leaders` coat-tails. The Northern Irishman is three shots behind Scott on 11-under. Masters champion Phil Mickelson looked out of sorts and was well off the pace at five-under. The American left-hander, who finished his second round in pitch darkness on Friday, was one-over-par for his round on Saturday. With $1 million on offer for first place, the co-sanctioned tournament could go a long way to determining the order of merit titles on both the Asian and European Tours. IANS