AUGUSTA, Ga. — For most of his career, the most interesting question about Ian Poulter centered around fashion.
His preference for extreme and outlandish colors meant the biggest question for the 34-year-old Englishman generally centered on what he was wearing. Sharing the lead at the midway point at the 2010 Masters, Poulter was asked Friday what goes good with a green jacket.
“Absolutely anything,” Poulter said plainly.
Indeed. Poulter carded his second round of 68 to share the lead with Lee Westwood at 8-under-par 146 after 36 holes at Augusta National.
The two countrymen have a two-shot lead over the star-studded group of Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, K.J. Choi and Anthony Kim that is 6 under.
“I suppose it helps a little bit because we get on pretty well, but I don’t think it has much of an effect,” Westwood said of playing with Poulter in today’s final group. “We won’t be cracking jokes on each other’s backswings.
“Or maybe not.”
The light-hearted approach could be a useful weapon in a weekend that could be filled with tension. Woods, the world’s top-ranked player, has been nearly flawless in his return from a self-imposed five-month break following the revelations of his multiple infidelities.
Woods owned the pre-Masters spotlight this week because of his speedy downfall from the scandal. He has stayed there with stellar play that has surprised just about everybody except him.
“I usually put myself in contention most of the time here,” Woods said after a 2-under 70. “And this year, I’m right there.”
Add two-time Masters champ Mickelson into the fray, and the potential for a weekend shootout is overwhelming.
“There’s nothing like being in contention on the weekend at Augusta National,” said Mickelson, who had a 65-foot putt for birdie on the 18th hit the back of the hole and pop out in his second-round 71. “There’s no better feeling in the game. There’s nothing you dream of more.”
The cast of characters atop the leaderboard points to an endless possiblity of conclusions.
There’s Poulter, who has been a model of consistency with back-to-back 68s that have included just three bogeys through 36 holes.
There’s Westwood, who survived Friday’s mercurial ride that included a tap-in eagle after hitting a 6-iron to within 18 inches on the 575-yard second hole and a hooked drive into the trees on the 14th that led to double bogey. The world’s No. 4-ranked player, Westwood got to 10 under with a birdie at the 13th.
Both leaders are aiming for their first major titles — and England’s first Masters since Nick Faldo won in 1996 — but Westwood said he’s ready for all comers — including Woods.
“I played with Tiger the last round of the U.S. Open (both shot 73 at Torrey Pines), so that’s not really an issue,” he said. “And I learned a few things — stuff I’m not going to share — because I think if you get into these situations and learn stuff, what’s the point of passing it on? That’s what going through these experiences is all about.”
Poulter also embraced the chance to share golf’s biggest stage with its biggest star.
“There’s a great buzz on the golf course,” said Poulter, who played the first two rounds in the group just in front of Woods. “I was happy to tee off when I did. The crowds are 10-deep. That’s always good. I think the tournament is a good one.”
And it’s only halfway done.