FOREST OF ARDEN, England, 8 June 2003 — England’s Ian Poulter began the day tied for last place but by the time he strode off the 18th green the 25-year-old was the clubhouse leader after a stunning third round nine-under 63 at the British Masters here yesterday.

Joint second round leaders Greg Owen and Australia’s Richard Green, both on eight-under, still had 90 minutes before they were due to tee off as Poulter headed for an early lunch.

Winner of the Welsh Open last week, Poulter rattled off four straight birdies and by the time he reached the turn he was six-under for the day and eyeing a 59.

The only blot on his card was three putts on the par-three 18th when his tee shot was pushed 80 feet left of the flag.

His birdie attempt pulled up 17 feet short of the flag and it took him two more to get down. Poulter knew Friday night what he had to do to get himself back into contention.

Sabbatini Grabs Lead but

Duval Steals Kemper Show

In Potomac, Maryland, South Africa’s Rory Sabbatini grabbed a two-shot lead but David Duval stole the show with a spectacular nine-under-par 62 in the second round of the $4.5 million Kemper Open on Friday.

Sabbatini’s 66 put him eight under on 134, two ahead of the resurgent Duval, Notah Begay III, Tom Gillis and Sweden’s Niclas Fasth. Hal Sutton, the 2004 US Ryder Cup captain, was back on 137 along with 2002 US PGA champion Rich Beem and Patrick Sheehan at a soggy TPC at Avenel.

Duval, who started on the 10th hole, did not record a bogey all day. He birdied the last five holes of his front nine to reach the turn in a six-under 29 and then had three more birdies coming home.

World number three Davis Love III, the highest ranked player in this warm-up for next week’s US Open, carded a 71 for 141. Phil Mickelson, the world number six, was five shots better than his opening-round 75 but missed the cut by a stroke.

Nine Birdies Take Sorenstam

Clear at Women’s Major

In Wilmington, Delaware, Annika Sorenstam underlined her status as the dominant force in the women’s game by taking control of the second major of the season, the $1.6 million LPGA Championship, with a seven-under-par 64 on Friday.

The world number one from Sweden crammed nine birdies in her round to finish with an eight-under total of 134 at the Dupont Country Club, two strokes clear of overnight leader Han Hee-Won (69) of South Korea.