SECOND ROUND LEADERBOARD (GB & Ireland unless stated):
-11 A Cejka (Ger) -9 I Poulter -7 Kevin Na (US), A Cabrera (Arg), J Dufner, (US), J Mallinger (US), H Stenson (Swe), D Toms (US)
Selected others:-5 P Casey -4 B Davis, T Woods (US) -3 J Rose -1 M Laird Level G McDowell, L Donald, P Mickelson (US), P Harrington
Missed cut:+4 R Fisher +7 R McIlroy +11 A Kim (US)

Poulter has continued his fine form at Sawgrass

Britain's Ian Poulter fired a second-round 68 to move up to second place in the Players Championship at Sawgrass.

Poulter hit just one bogey to lie just two shots behind leader Alex Cejka, who started the day in second spot.

"It's been solid the last few weeks and it's been nice to bring that into the Players and play well," said Poulter.

Germany's Cejka carded a 67 to move to 11 under, while England's Paul Casey (69) was six shots off the lead on five under, one ahead of Tiger Woods (69).

England's Justin Rose had got to six under but a double bogey and a bogey sent him back to three under.

Ireland's Padraig Harrington reached the halfway stage level - as did world number two Phil Mickelson, defending champion Sergio Garcia, Graeme McDowell and Luke Donald, but Rory McIlroy missed the cut after a round of 77.

I enjoy playing under pressure Ian Poulter

Poulter said the key to his success on the day was the four par fives, which he went round in three under.

"I think it was vital to try and take advantage of the par fives today and certainly what I didn't do yesterday," said the Hertfordshire player.

"If I could do that playing the way I've been playing and taking advantage of a couple of the (par) fours then I can shoot a good score, and that's what I did.

"I birdied three of them and made a great par on the second hole."

Poulter said he was revelling the conditions and being in contention near the top of the leaderboard.

"I enjoy the golf course. I enjoy the test. I enjoy some of the tee shots which capture your attention. You have to step up and hit a decent tee shot at certain times, you know, I enjoy playing under pressure."

606: DEBATE Have your say on the action

Cejka's lead was earned despite the German needing an epidural injection to ease the pain in a long-standing neck complaint.

His round included six birdies and just one dropped shot, on the 15th.

"I had a pinched nerve and I had a numb arm for three weeks," Cejka said.

"So they had to go in there and put some cortisone shot in the nerve, so it's healing better. It's still not 100% but I feel my hand, so that's a good sign."

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version