poulter not surprised by donald's form

By Mark Garrod, PA Sport Golf Correspondent, Chicago

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Ian Poulter told Luke Donald earlier this week that he thought Medinah Country Club was made for him.

So after reaching the 54-hole mark on eight under par himself - still on the fringe of contention - Poulter was not surprised to find his fellow Englishman among those he is chasing.

"When I played a practice round I said it was perfect for Luke and I told him when I saw him in the players' lounge," said Poulter after a 68 kept alive his hopes that this week can re-ignite his bid to keep his Ryder Cup place.

"He hits it right to left, is very steady and just plods it down there. And I don't think this is a situation he is going to be uncomfortable in."

Poulter, 12th at the US Open in June, said of his own performance: "It was good, but it could have been even better.

"The course is still tricky, but last night's rain softened it up and the best players in the world are here.

"You just hope it's you that goes and shoots eight under or something. Someone could still come out of the pack."

Donald and Sergio Garcia are left as the only two Europeans right in the thick of things with a day to go, though.

Henrik Stenson, joint overnight leader with Donald and Americans Billy Andrade and Tim Herron, could not find a way back to the top after bogeys at two of the first four, while fellow Swede Daniel Chopra, five under at halfway, fell away too.

Lee Westwood's 71 left him four under, while Jose Maria Olazabal managed only a 75 to be one under and David Howell is on the same mark after a 73.

Justin Rose chipped in at the last for the first time in a major since the 1998 Open at Birkdale and a 70 left him three under with another Swede, Robert Karlsson, and Dane Anders Hansen.

Rose, playing his first major for two years, said: "It was a nice way to finish and kind or ironic. It was only the second green I missed all day.

"I think I'm playing every bit as good as I ever have, but just have to get that confidence level."

Howell, who had said after the second round his club felt "alien" in his hands, commented: "I didn't play very well at all. I've struggled with my swing all week."