Poulter ahead in Players Championship

Ian Poulter made a great start to claim a share of the lead halfway through his opening round at the Players Championship today.

He made the turn at three under, tied with American Heath Slocum and Spaniard Sergio Garcia.

Irishman Padraig Harrington also started nicely with birdies at the first two holes, before bogeying number four to slip back to one under.

Poulter took advantage of his early tee time on a calm morning at the Sawgrass TPC.

Out in the first threesome of the day from the 10th tee, he picked up a birdie at the par-five 11th hole where he struck a wedge shot to within six feet.

He added another at the famous par-three 17th, with its island landing area, finding the heart of the green and running in an 18-footer.

Poulter picked up yet another shot at the par-four 18th after a precise second shot that threatened the flag before nestling seven feet away.

Masters champion Trevor Immelman meanwhile withdrew before the round with an unspecified illness, replaced by Dustin Johnson.

American Jason Gore also pulled out after just four holes, apparently with a recurrence of an old back problem. He ran up a nine at the second hole and cut his losses two holes later after a double bogey which left him seven over.

Immelman's withdrawal leaves the US$9.5m (€6.16m) event without the two most recent major winners, with PGA Championship winner Tiger Woods also missing as he recovers from knee surgery.