Three putt bogey stings Poulter into action

By Mark Lamport-Stokes

AUGUSTA, Georgia (Reuters) - Ian Poulter, stung by a three-putt bogey at the ninth, reeled off three consecutive birdies on the inward half to climb up the leaderboard at the U.S. Masters on Saturday.

Poulter carded a four-under-par 68 in tricky swirling winds in the third round at Augusta National.

"The only mistake I made was on nine," the 33-year-old Englishman told reporters after posting a four-under total of 212, seven shots off the pace.

"I had a 30-foot birdie putt and managed to convert that to a bogey which is really annoying.

"I was steaming. I have had four three-putts this week."

Poulter, who finished no worse than tied for 33rd in his four previous appearances at Augusta, launched his late birdie run after reaching the green in two at the par-five 13th.

He then struck a seven-iron to six inches at the par-four 14th before two-putting from long range at the par-five 15th.

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