Zhengzhou, China - World No 2 Lee Westwood drew within a shot of leader Ian Poulter after four holes of the Shui On Land China Golf Challenge following a whirlwind stop in Zhengzhou on the second day of the week-long, seven-city event.

Westwood birdied hole three of the 18-hole tournament and finished the day level with Liang Wenchong at even-par, while US Open champion Rory McIlroy stayed four-over after a birdie and a bogey at the new Jinsha Lake Golf Club.

Following an early-morning flight aboard Bombardier jets from Shanghai, the quartet was whisked to the venue for a lavish grand opening that was broadcast live on television as the international players visited the capital of Henan province for the first time.

Poulter and Rory McIlroy were cheered and mobbed like rock stars as the players practiced on the driving range before the Englishman held his lead at one-under with pars at a 554-yard par-five and a 408-yard par-four.

"I played two good holes, so I'm still leading and it feels good," said the colorful Poulter, standing out in his checkered trousers.

"They're very excited about their golf over here in China and we had good fun on the range. Rory was at one end and I was at the other, and we ended up hitting shots and trying to get each group of fans to cheer louder than the other."

The 35-year-old also praised the host venue, which presented one of its new golf villas to Westwood during the opening ceremony and also organized two hole-in-one challenges, including one for a BMW.

"It was interesting to arrive and go straight on stage and be on live television. It showed they really appreciated us coming and we're very honoured to be given that kind of ovation," Poulter said.

"They love golf in China. They've got a great facility here at Jinsha Lake and I think the course looks very, very good. We only played four holes, but you can see it's going to be a spectacular layout."

The players fly to Beijing today, where they will play two holes each at the Topwin Golf and Country Club and the Jade Island International Golf Club before an evening flight to Dalian, where they will play at the 36-hole Red Flag Valley.

China Daily

(China Daily 10/12/2011 page23)