JBWere the sick golfer: Poulter leads in Australia

• By Ryan Ballengee
• Dec 16, 2011 9:34 AM ET

Ian Poulter didn't feel well prior to his second round at the JBWere Masters. After securing a two-shot lead on Friday at Victoria GC, Poulter probably felt much better.

Poulter backed up an opening-round 65 with 3-under 68 to lead over Aussie Mathew Giles.

"I didn't feel too good when I woke up this morning, I wasn't good at all. Must have had something bad to eat last night, unfortunately. So I felt a bit weak out there today," Poulter said. "It showed, I hit it terrible, got myself out of position a number of times, but my short game was on and I holed a few nice putts. So, I would've taken that score."

Leaderboard: Full-field scores for the JBWere Masters

The World Match Play winner is a half-dozen clear of world No. 1 Luke Donald and Aussie left-hander Greg Chalmers, who is vying to become the second man to win the Australian Triple Crown.

Geoff Ogilvy recovered from bending his putter in anger on Thursday to shoot 5-under 66 and trail by four shots.

Poulter secured his lead with closing birdies on the final par-5 holes. As much as the illness affected Poulter physically, he hopes to overcome the bug to focus on what he says is a tricky course.

"It would be nice to go out there having my mind on the golf game rather than other things," he said. "This golf course is very challenging, there's a number of tricky tee shots and secondshots. You can get caught out at any time."