Resurgent Ian Poulter fires a 4-under 67 to take RBC Heritage lead

Ian Poulter is ready for a break after a long, eventful stretch on tour. He has one more important goal to accomplish, though, at the RBC Heritage before any time off.

"We'll see if we have a last bit of plaid to put in the closet," said a grinning Poulter, referring to the tartan jacket giving the winner at Harbour Town Golf Links in Hilton Head Island, S.C.

The resurgent Poulter will have that chance Sunday after shooting a 4-under 67 to take a one-shot lead into the final round of the RBC Heritage, putting him in position for his second victory in three weeks.

Before April, Poulter had not won on tour in more than five years. Now, he's one more solid round away from adding another title to his dramatic win at the Houston Open on April 1. No joke, Poulter's play is for real. Seven of the Englishman's last 11 rounds have been in the 60s after having just three such showings in his first 20 rounds this season. His latest left him at 13-under 200, and a stroke ahead of Luke List (67) and Si Woo Kim (68).

"It's been a long six weeks," Poulter said.

He was incorrectly told he had qualified for the Masters after a quarterfinal appearance at the WCG Match Play championship. Then down to his final try to reach Augusta National, Poulter needed a birdie on the 72nd hole to force a playoff with Beau Hossler. Poulter prevailed on the first playoff hole.

He's kept up that stellar play at Harbour Town.

"There's been quite a bit of lows in the last 18 months, to be honest," Poulter said. "So if you ride the waves and you trust yourself and you believe in your ability, then hopefully, it's still in there."

Poulter let it out once more to move in front.

He made his run in spurts, moving out front with birdies on the fifth and six holes before getting his last two on the 12th and 13th. He saved par out of the bunker on the par-3 17th, rolling in a rock-solid 6-foot putt and making a routine par on the signature lighthouse hole, the 18th, to stay in front.

Kim was in front at 12 under after birdies on the eighth and ninth holes. He fell back with bogey on No. 12 and could not catch Poulter down the stretch.

— Associated Press