Hong Kong Open 2015: Ian Poulter has point to prove in setting up duel with Justin Rose

Poulter is attempting to regain his place in the world's top 50 golfers and at the same time play the 13 tournaments required to retain his European Tour membership

Ian Poulter plays a shot on the 6th hole during the second round of the UBS Hong Kong Open (Getty )

At least Ian Poulter is making the most of the opportunity Rich Beem so generously engineered in Hong Kong. Poulter picked up the invitation to the Hong Kong Open that Beem relinquished on his behalf and steered himself into contention just two off Justin Rose’s lead.

The urgency to take part was triggered by his fall from the world’s top 50, which dropped him from the WGC-HSBC Champions event next month, which in turn left him one short of the magic 13 tournaments required to retain European Tour membership.

If he keeps up the pursuit of Rose at the top of the leaderboard, he will be back in the HSBC Champions and the world top 50. Shame he did not pull his finger out earlier.

“I don’t play to take part. Obviously I play to win,” Poulter said after a second-round 66 left him in joint third on seven under par. “I know this golf course. I’ve shot 60 around here before. I’d not played a practice round but I’ve got good memories on this golf course. I’ve had a couple of top fives in the last five years here as well. Hopefully I can have a good weekend.”

Putting a score together on the final day has been Poulter’s problem all year. Perhaps chasing his old mate around Fanling will help his focus. Rose, who also shot a 66, believes so.

“Poulter is a past champion and he’s on the leaderboard. He’s always good when he’s got something to prove,” Rose said. “He’s probably a dangerous guy now that he’s outside the top 50, and I know he’ll be desperate to get back in it. He always plays well when he has motivation, so he’s obviously going to be tough to beat.”

Once again Rose played beautifully, and now the putts are beginning to drop the world No 7 looks what he is, one of the finest players on the planet. “I need to continue to try and play good golf over the weekend, make some birdies, and keep moving forward,” he said.

England’s bright young thing, 21-year-old Matthew Fitzpatrick, is just three off the lead in his first tournament since his maiden victory at the British Masters at Woburn a fortnight ago. He conjured a hat-trick of birdies on the back nine for a second 67. Graeme McDowell is one further back on five under after a 69.