Ian Poulter pulls out of Honda Classic field after being diagnosed with pneumonia – Golf News
Ian Poulter, who was scheduled to play along Lee Westwood and Tiger Woods in the opening two rounds of the Honda Classic, pulled out of the tournament after he was diagnosed with pneumonia on Thursday, March 1, 2012.
Poulter told that he had severe temperature and he was advised to have his chest X-Ray taken, which later revealed the disease.
He looked disappointed and said that he really wanted to be a part of the event. However, the incident forced him to watch the rest of the event back from home, lying in the bed.
Argentine Miguel Angel Carballo replaced him at Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. Poulter said that Carbello will display a good game in the group that is featuring two big names of golf.
"Sorry guys never been so disappointed in pulling out of a tournament," Poulter wrote on twitter. "Never felt so rough, hope the first reserve plays well in a great group today".
Meanwhile, Davis Love III shot a spectacular six-under par 64 to equal the course record at Palm Beach. He had a two-stroke lead over eight players, including world number two, Rory McIlroy.
Love started off with four par shots in a row, followed by an outstanding hole-in-one. This proved to be a start of his good strokes, as he managed to shoot five birdies against a lone bogey on the par-four 10th.
"A hole in one is a good start. It was a big boost. I obviously hit a good shot, but you are lucky when they go in," Love stated.
"I have been hitting the ball real well and a lot of tournaments last year I just didn't get off to a good start," Love said. "So I'm just glad to be off to a good start," he added.
Rory McIlroy, who is looking forward to winning the tournament and becoming the best player of the golfing world, shot a four-under par 66, with the help of five birdies and a bogey on par-four eighth.
McIlroy finished second in last week’s Accenture Match Play Championship and is favourite to win the event at Palm Beach Gardens.
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