MACAU -- Ian Poulter returned from a four-month layoff because of a foot ailment to take a share of the lead at the Macau Open with an opening-round 64.
Poulter and Spain's Carlos Pigem were tied at 7-under par on Thursday and had a one-shot lead over Thailand's Chapchai Nirat, who had three birdies and an eagle over his last eight holes to finish with a 65.
Australia's Marcus Fraser experienced back spasms at the start of his round and, after taking pain medication, finished with a 66, tied with India's Anirban Lahiri at 5-under.
Poulter, who has 10 starts in which to earn 218 FedEx Cup points or about $350,000 to keep full PGA Tour status for the rest of the year, had five birdies on the outward nine in his first round back since missing the cut at Colonial in late May.
"I've never had four and a half months off in my life. It's an unusual position but I played nicely," said Poulter, a vice-captain for Europe at the recent Ryder Cup. "I just tried to get my game in shape coming out here."
Poulter said he didn't play competitively for 14 weeks because of an arthritic joint in his right foot, which made it difficult to walk and now requires him to wear a special insole in his shoe.
"The most important thing I'll take away from this is how solid I played, how nicely I putted," he said. "I've worked in all areas of my game to get ready, and obviously, it's a great start.
"There's no cure for arthritis, so rest and rehab is the key part."
Poulter stated his reason for choosing the Macau Open in China over the European Tour's British Masters was simply down to travel time, with the PGA Tour heading to Malaysia next week for the CIMB Classic.
"I'm not saying the British Masters isn't a big event because it's a massive event and I hosted it last year, but for me it's about maintaining my status where I live right now," Poulter confirmed.
"I have 10 events to play, and the CIMB Classic is a big event for me. I want to be there Sunday night which I can do from Macau. First thing Monday morning I can be there fresh and ready to play. If I played the British Masters, it would mean going from the UK to Malaysia and I don't really want to pitch up jet-lagged."
