Poulter shows his match play prowess

Ian Poulter impressed as he reached the last 16 of the WGC-Accenture Match Play three years after he lifted the trophy in Tucson.

The Englishman made it through with a 3 and 1 victory over American Bo Van Pelt.

Poulter, unbeaten hero of Europe's triumph in Chicago last September and with match play crowns to his name on both sides of the Atlantic, has shown no ill-effects of taking six weeks off coming into the tournament.

"It feels pretty good," he said.

"It was always a little risky taking that amount of time off, but it's working out pretty well.

"I worked hard at home, put some new irons in the bag and I couldn't be any fresher or fitter than I am right now.

"I didn't make any silly mistakes and I guess making seven birdies you are going to be tough to beat."