Golf: England's Ian Poulter grabs lead at rain-soaked Honda Classic in Florida

 Ian Poulter of England lines up a putt on the 18th green during the continuation of the third round of The Honda Classic at PGA National Resort & Spa - Champion Course on Sunday in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. -- PHOTO: AFP 
 Ian Poulter of England lines up a putt on the 18th green during the continuation of the third round of The Honda Classic at PGA National Resort & Spa - Champion Course on Sunday in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. -- PHOTO: AFP 

PALM BEACH GARDENS (AFP) - England's Ian Poulter had four birdies in a four-under par 66 on Sunday to seize a three-stroke lead after three rounds of the rain-disrupted Honda Classic.

After a near-washout on Saturday it was a busy day at PGA National, and Poulter promptly turned around to start the fourth round in which he was trying to hold off his nearest challengers: Ireland's three-time major champion Padraig Harrington and American Patrick Reed.

Organisers were already preparing for a Monday morning sprint to the finish.

Poulter launched his third round by rolling in a 24-foot birdie putt. He added back-to-back birdies at six and seven, and made a six-footer for birdie at the 12th en route to a nine-under par total of 201.

Harrington, who started the day with a one-shot edge over Reed atop the leaderboard, got off to a slow start with three bogeys in his first 10 holes before his first birdie at the 11th.

He picked up another stroke at 13 and saved par from the water at 18 to keep his title hopes alive with a one-over 71.

Reed carded an even par 70 to join Harrington on 204.

It was a further two strokes back to American Brendan Steele, who had a 71 for 206.

England's Paul Casey, American Phil Mickelson and Scotland's Russell Knox shared fifth on 207 going into the final round.

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