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Luke Donald earns share of lead as Ian Poulter also shines at RBC Heritage

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Luke Donald produces a number of sublime shots from around the green in his second-round 67 at the RBC Heritage, including a chip-in birdie at the last

Luke Donald produced a stunning chip-in for birdie at the final hole to earn a share of the halfway lead at the RBC Heritage, while Ian Poulter goes into the weekend just two off the lead.

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Donald's grandstand finish capped a four-under 67 which featured a number of sublime shots from around the greens that atoned for an erratic long-game, and the Harbour Town Links specialist joined Graham DeLaet at the top on 10 under par.

Luke Donald's short game bailed him out a number of times in his second-round 67
Image: Luke Donald's short game bailed him out a number of times in his second-round 67

Poulter is currently on a major medical extension and has two tournaments remaining to earn $145,000 or 118 FedExCup points to retain his PGA Tour card, and the Ryder Cup legend overcame a mid-round blip to card a 68 and move into a tie for third with Webb Simpson on eight under.

DeLaet set the early clubhouse target after making a stylish recovery from a sluggish start, the Canadian being one over for seven holes before holing from 15 feet for his first birdie of the day at the eighth.

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He then enjoyed a rare eagle-two at the par-four ninth when a perfect wedge from 109 yards found the bottom of the cup, and DeLaet picked up further shots at 11 and 12 before parring home to complete a 67.

Donald opened with three solid pars before knocking a smooth five-iron to seven feet at the 200-yard fourth and holing the chance for birdie, and he got up and down for another at the next and converted a precise approach to six feet at the sixth to make it three in a row.

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Luke Donald reflects on his second-round 67 at the RBC Heritage which earned him a share of the halfway lead

His short game then bailed him out with clutch par saves at eight, nine and 10, although he could not avoid a dropped shot at the 11th following another wayward drive before he steadied himself with four cast-iron pars.

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The world No 96 played one of his "best ever" bunker escapes from a plugged lie at the penultimate hole, and Donald atoned for a poor approach to the last with a brilliant pitch which landed on a downslope, gripped and dropped into the hole for an unlikely three.

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Ian Poulter joins Nick at the Sky Cart after improving his chances of retaining his card with two excellent rounds at the RBC Heritage

Poulter, who is aware a tie for 12th or better would secure his playing privileges for the remainder of the season, started at the 10th and birdied 15 and 16 before he blocked his approach to the 18th and took three to get down.

The Englishman then three-putted from 20 feet on the first green, but he responded with three birdies over the next four holes, including a superb 65-foot putt at the fifth, and he parred safely in to stay at eight under alongside former US Open champion Simpson.

RIO GRANDE, PUERTO RICO - MARCH 23:  Andrew Johnston of England plays his tee shot on the third hole during the first round of the Puerto Rico Open at Coco
Image: Andrew Johnston is safely in for the weekend

Scotland's Russell Knox enjoyed a run of four birdies in five holes early in his round which set him up for a 66 which lifted him to six under, while Tyrrell Hatton is a shot further back after adding a four-birdie 69 to his opening 68 just a week after his disappointing Masters debut.

Andrew 'Beef' Johnston struggled to make much happen, particularly on the greens, as he carded one bogey, one birdie and 16 pars in a workmanlike 71 which kept him at three under along with the likes of defending champion Branden Grace and 2014 winner Matt Kuchar.

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But US Ryder Cup captains past and present, David Love III and Jim Furyk, both missed the cut, as did out-of-sorts English duo Matt Fitzpatrick and Danny Willett.

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