Ace shot by Poulter

Ian Poulter and Paul Lawrie combined to spoil Padraig Harrington's intended Roman conquest after moving well clear of the Irishman in the second round of the Italian Open.

The 34-year old, Luton-based Poulter, with his distinctive sideburns, recorded a third career hole-in-one in a five-under-par 67 to advance to 16 under par and finish one stroke ahead of Lawrie, who carded a flawless 63 on the Olgiata course.

Emanuele Canonica ignited hopes of a first Italian-born champion in 22 years with a round of 65 to move into third place at 13 under par. Australia's Jarrod Moseley is fourth at 12 under par, with Argentina's Angel Cabrera signing for a 61 that will not be recognised as tying Poulter's earlier new low as a lift-clean-and-place rule was in effect.

Harrington began his round 10 strokes behind Poulter and desperately disappointed not to have competed on Friday when the day was abandoned due to the persistent presence of lightning and thunder. The Irishman, needing to finish fourth or higher to overtake the absent Retief Goosen on the Order of Merit, carded a three-under-par 69 for a five-under tally and a share of 34th place in the event, which has been reduced to 54 holes.

Poulter emerged from his sizzling 61 start on Thursday to par his opening six holes before watching his four-iron tee shot at the par-three 16th hit the green and disappear into the hole.

'I hit it straight at the stick and as soon as I hit it, it was going to have a reasonable chance,' he said. It was Poulter's third ace and the third occasion he's missed out on either a gleaming new car, a sporty wristwatch or the luxury double bed that was the bizarre prize on offer last week in Madrid. He rounded off last year's Italian Open with a hole-in-one on the last day of the event in Sardinia. He is now primed to clinch a third Tour title and a second Italian Open crown in two years.

'I'm not afraid of anybody, and the last round is going to be a great atmosphere,' he said. 'I don't mind who I play with or what score they throw at me. If I go out and play golf the way I have the last six weeks - and putt well - I will be fine.'

Lawrie again put his new Callaway Big Bertha 11 driver to good effect, pounding the fairways with monotonous regularity to set up four birdies on the outward nine and five inward-half. 'I am just driving it so much straighter, which is giving me more birdies opportunities,' he said.

Lawrie began yesterday's postponed round in the afternoon half of the draw and staring at a ten-shot deficit after Poulter had completed his round near lunch.

'I missed birdie chances at the par-five 15th and 17th holes that could have put me in front, but I can't grumble with a 63,' said Lawrie.

Harrington picked up three birdies over his outward nine and then a fourth when he birdied the 13th, but it proved the high-water mark of his challenge. He then bogeyed the 15th and dropped a second straight shot at the 16th, missing the green left with his ball coming to rest against a tree trunk in a staked area and leaving him no option but to take a penalty drop. He birdied the 17th and ended with a par.

'I played pretty good, but not as good as I wanted to and hit two bad shots in the round that cost me,' said Harrington.

'I was trying to get as much as I could out of today and I felt I needed to do what Paul did and that was to shoot nine under par, but we'll see what happens tomorrow.'