Defending champion Ian Poulter is refusing to declare the final round of the Australian Masters as a match play shootout between himself and Adam Scott.
Poulter fired a magnificent eight-under 64 at Kingston Heath on Saturday and will head into the final round of the Masters with a one-shot advantage over Scott.
Scott is five strokes clear of Matthew Guyatt in third place, but Poulter believes there are still other players in contention and he can't be drawn into a match play situation.
"There are a lot of other players that could potentially go and shoot 64," Poulter said.
"I have done it today and I am sure there are players more than capable of going and doing exactly the same.
"I need to be aware of that and play as well as I can."
Poulter is well known as being one of the best exponents of match play, having claimed the World Golf Match Play Championship event in Arizona in 2010 and with many memorable head-to-head Ryder Cup battles to his name in the past.
The head-to-head nature of match play is something Poulter thrives on, but the world No.16 said he won't draw on any of that experience on Sunday, unless it gets down to a close tussle in the final few holes.
"We have got a few shots on the field right now, but you can't go at it tomorrow with match play in mind," he said.
"If it comes down to the last few holes and you are a good few shots clear and it is just two of you then, yeah.
"It is stroke play and it is all about not making mistakes, taking your chances and I am fully aware that guys can go out there tomorrow and shoot a low score."
Poulter said it would be an honour if he could join Greg Norman as the only player to have ever defended their Masters title, but knows he will have to play well yet again if he is to claim his second consecutive gold jacket.
Strong south-westerly winds are expected late on Sunday and Poulter believes those conditions will make the tricky Kingston Heath layout even tougher.
"If you get this weather as predicted, it makes this golf course really hard," he said.
"Pin locations are going to be tricky and, with the wind, you are going to need to play well to be in the 60s and to be under par.
"I am in a good position right now and I am very much looking forward to it."
Defending champion Ian Poulter is refusing to declare the final round of the Australian Masters as a match play shootout between himself and Adam Scott.
Poulter fired a magnificent eight-under 64 at Kingston Heath on Saturday and will head into the final round of the Masters with a one-shot advantage over Scott.
Scott is five strokes clear of Matthew Guyatt in third place, but Poulter believes there are still other players in contention and he can't be drawn into a match play situation.
"There are a lot of other players that could potentially go and shoot 64," Poulter said.
"I have done it today and I am sure there are players more than capable of going and doing exactly the same.
"I need to be aware of that and play as well as I can."
Poulter is well known as being one of the best exponents of match play, having claimed the World Golf Match Play Championship event in Arizona in 2010 and with many memorable head-to-head Ryder Cup battles to his name in the past.
The head-to-head nature of match play is something Poulter thrives on, but the world No.16 said he won't draw on any of that experience on Sunday, unless it gets down to a close tussle in the final few holes.
"We have got a few shots on the field right now, but you can't go at it tomorrow with match play in mind," he said.
"If it comes down to the last few holes and you are a good few shots clear and it is just two of you then, yeah.
"It is stroke play and it is all about not making mistakes, taking your chances and I am fully aware that guys can go out there tomorrow and shoot a low score."
Poulter said it would be an honour if he could join Greg Norman as the only player to have ever defended their Masters title, but knows he will have to play well yet again if he is to claim his second consecutive gold jacket.
Strong south-westerly winds are expected late on Sunday and Poulter believes those conditions will make the tricky Kingston Heath layout even tougher.
"If you get this weather as predicted, it makes this golf course really hard," he said.
"Pin locations are going to be tricky and, with the wind, you are going to need to play well to be in the 60s and to be under par.
"I am in a good position right now and I am very much looking forward to it."