GUYATTS LEADS THE STARS IN AUSTRALIAN MASTERS

FROM THE CBS SPORTS.COM WEBSITE

Matthew Guyatt maintained his two-shot lead at the Australian Masters following the second round at Kingston Heath.

The overnight leader, from Australia, carded a three-under 69 in Melbourne to hold off the challenge of Michael Hendry, Adam Scott and Ian Poulter.
Hendry matched Guyatt's total of 69 to remain his position in second spot, while Scott was three shots behind the leader after his round of 70.
Poulter, the defending champion, dropped down to a share of fourth after his level-par round of 72.
Guyatt, who normally plays on the Japan Challenge Tour, will now take confidence from his opening two rounds.
"That's the battle, I think, that players in my position face," Guyatt said. "The belief that you've got enough game, the belief that you're good enough. I think I'm starting to get there."
Former US Open champion Graeme McDowell endured a day to forget after carding a round of 77 to drop to four-over - however the Northern Irishman did just enough to make the cut.


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QUOTES FROM IAN POULTER
 

SECOND-ROUND LEADERBOARD
Par 144 (2x72)
Players from Australia unless stated
134 Matthew Guyatt 65 67
136 Michael Hendry 67 69
137 Adam Scott 67 70
139 Craig Hancock 68 71, Ian Poulter (Eng) 67 72 

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MELBOURNE (Reuters) - Title-holder Ian Poulter's wish for more wind at the Australian Masters was delivered in spades today, but the Englishman was furious with himself after a scratchy even-par 72 left him five strokes off the pace after the second round.

Joint-second overnight after perfect conditions during Thursday's opening round, Poulter watched his two-stroke deficit to unheralded leader Matthew Guyatt blow out to five as the Kingston Heath course bared its teeth on a gusty day.
"The course plays much different in the wind. It's a completely different course," a stone-faced Poulter told reporters greenside after cancelling out three birdies with three bogeys.
"I'm frustrated. I'm not going to stand here laughing, am I? I've shot level par and I'm disappointed. I'm not going to be standing here very jolly, am I?
"I've left shots out there on the golf course. I'm five off the lead but I'm pissed off with my round of golf. Simple."
World number 16 Poulter thrived in blustery conditions to win last year's tournament by three strokes at nearby Victoria Golf Club and had said he had hoped for more of the same weather at Kingston Heath on Melbourne's famed sandbelt.
With showers and more windy conditions forecast, Poulter was unfazed by the challenge to peg back the lead over the weekend, having made up huge ground to win his second World Golf Championship victory in Shenzhen, China, earlier this month.
"I was nine back going into HSBC Champions," said Poulter, referring to the final weekend in Shenzhen, where he shot a pair of 65s to win by two strokes.
"I'm going straight back to the hotel, I'm chilling out."