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Montgomerie Maxx Royal's course in Antalya has seen the 38-year-old Hitchin star play some of his best golf of a troubled year.
Poulter, who is renowned for his unconventional golf clothing including items that pay homage to his beloved Arsenal Football Club, shone before the weather closed in.
He told journalists that he felt "right" after experiencing poor form for much of 2014.
Tournament officials had brought forward the starting time by one-and-a-half hours in a bid to beat the storms and get the round finished. But the thunderstorm curtailed play sooner than forecast and proceedings were stopped just after midday.
Turkish officials told the crowd that play would re-commence following a break of 150 minutes. But, just as play was about to resume, the clouds closed in again and the heavens opened.
Poulter goes into Saturday's 8am scheduled re-start holding a three-stroke advantage over Brendon de Jonge on 10 under par.
Poulter admitted to his Twitter followers that he had had a close shave, having only just finished hole 14 before lightning struck extremely nearby.