Houston Open: Ian Poulter shoots 64 in round two to climb leaderboard

Poulter is looking to add to his two wins on the PGA Tour

England's Ian Poulter kept alive his hopes of a place at next week's Masters with a superb second-round eight-under 64 at the Houston Open.

The winner of the event earns a place at the first men's major of the year.

After a one-over 73 in the first round, 42-year-old Poulter climbed the leaderboard with a faultless second round that included eight birdies.

Poulter is on seven under overall, four shots behind clubhouse leader Beau Hossler.

Hossler, 23, was handed the halfway lead after fellow American Rickie Fowler found a water hazard with his drive at the final hole.

Fowler's bogey at the par-four 18th meant he finished with 68 to join a group of four players one stroke back on a leaderboard with only eight strokes separating the 90 players who made the cut.

World number four Jordan Spieth, the 2015 Masters champion, carded 67 to trail by two strokes.

He is joined on nine under by Ireland's Paul Dunne, who followed up his opening-round 64 with a 71 on Friday, while Shane Lowry is on eight under.

Justin Rose, who lost out to Sergio Garcia in a play-off in the Masters last year, is alongside compatriot Poulter on seven under following a 69.

"Took myself out of the tournament yesterday and back in it today," Poulter tweeted.

Last week, Poulter was told he had already qualified for the Masters having reached the last eight at the World Golf Championships.

However, he was then informed 10 minutes before his quarter-final match against Kevin Kisner that he actually need to reach the semi-finals to earn his Masters place - and subsequently lost 8&6 to the American.