Golf-Italian Open: Poulter shoots 65, breaks out of pack for three-stroke lead

The Englishman shot a scorching 65, following first- and second-round scores of 66 and 67, to put himself in position for his first-ever European tour title.
Poulter, 24, is battling for rookie of the year honors with Scotland's Alastair Forsyth, who did not make the cut at this 1 million euro (dlrs 830,000) tournament on the Italian island of Sardinia.

Francisco Cea followed up his 63 _ a record on this course, near the city of Cagliari _ with a solid 4-under round of 68. The Spaniard is in a four-way tie for second at 15-under, along with Argentina's Ricardo Gonzalez, England's Van Phillips and South Africa's Roger Wessels.
Scotland's Gordon Brand Jr. came into the clubhouse with a 66, in a three-way tie at 14-under with second round co-leaders Elliot Boult of New Zealand and Richard Green of Australia.

Lee Westwood, the European tour's money leader, who has been struggling with his putting this week, finished Saturday with his second straight 70. The Englishman is nine shots off the lead.

(ba/AP)