Scott takes four-shot lead into third round
Adam Scott will take a four-shot lead into today’s delayed third round of the Johnnie Walker Classic in Beijing.
Scott added a second round 66 to his opening course-record 63 at Pine Valley for a 15-under-par halfway total of 129.
American Gary Rusnak is his nearest challenger on 11 under after a superb 65 on Saturday, with South African Richard Sterne a shot further back following a 66.
Double US Open champion Retief Goosen, New Zealand’s Michael Campbell and Spanish Open winner Peter Hanson are all on nine under par after playing their first and second rounds on Friday.
Only three-and-a-half hours play was possible on Thursday due to winds gusting up to 35mph.
“It’s been a great start,” said the 24-year-old Scott, who has proved an excellent front-runner in his four European Tour victories and two wins on the USPGA Tour.
“I was pleased to keep my form going and I’m really playing within myself. Yesterday was the surprising one, coming out really early and playing eight holes in six under par, and that’s really set me up for the week.
“Today was the perfect opportunity for me to put a little distance between myself and the others. It was dead calm, we could not get better conditions and I had to take advantage of that. I think I did a pretty good job.
“I could have been maybe a couple better but overall I’m happy with the way it’s gone.”
The Jack Nicklaus-designed course poses few problems for the players and Scott admitted it could amount to a putting competition over the final two rounds.
“All the guys have the ability to shoot 63 or 62 so I have to keep shooting low scores if I want to win,” added the world number 10, winner of the Players Championship at Sawgrass last year.
“I’m going to have to be aggressive if I want to stay out in front because they are going to be making birdies. The rough is just long enough where you can get a flyer but if the wind doesn’t blow I think it’s going to come down to the hot putter on the weekend. Hopefully that’s mine.”
Pre-tournament favourite Ernie Els carded a 67 today to lie nine shots off the lead on six under par, alongside Spain’s Sergio Garcia (71) and Scotland’s Colin Montgomerie, who carded rounds of 68 and 70 on Friday.
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