Poulter's bolt from the blue

Ian Poulter shot a six-under 66 in his second round at the Johnnie Walker Classic at The Vines in Perth, but at eight-under overall the Englishman still lagged five strokes behind runaway leader KJ Choi.

Beginning on the back nine, Poulter reached as high as fourth before he bogeyed the par-three 16th, but recovered well to consolidate his top 10 position.

The flamboyant 30-year-old – decked out fully in blue – has been modelling a specially-designed outfit as a promotion for the tournament sponsor, and as usual has drawn just as much attention with his play as with his attire.

Compatriot Ross Fisher has joined Poulter in fourth place, shooting a five-under-par 67 for the day including a fantastic eagle on the 473-metre par-five third.

But the highlight on day two has been Choi, the South Korean claiming the outright lead with a round of 66 following his opening round of 65.

He currently sits at 13 under, three strokes ahead of Australians Tony Carolan and Adam Scott who have also finished their rounds.

Englishman Anthony Wall has shot up the field with a round of 67, joined at five-under by Richard Finch, who has three holes remaining.

The leading Brit from day one – Paul Casey – parred his first two holes and will be looking to build on his solid four-under first round of 68.

Scotland’s Scott Drummond will need to claw his way back after a double bogey on the par-four 11th, currently even with the card, but Colin Montgomerie has fared a little better, two-under for the tournament after two holes.

Defending champion Scott, who was the joint overnight leader with American Kevin Stadler, began the day badly with two consecutive bogeys.

However the Australian recovered to finish one-under for the day, nine-under overall and tied for second, keen to win back-to-back Classics.

Stadler – son of golfing legend Craig Stadler – was looking for a repeat of his first-day heroics when he shocked the field to enter the clubrooms at eight-under.

Damien McGrane is best placed of the Irish at one under. Both Peter Lawrie and Gary Murphy are at two over.