Australian Open golf: Adam Scott storms into contention

Former champion Adam Scott has made a stunning charge on day two of the Australian Open.

Adam Scott waits to tee off on the sixth hold during day two of the Australian Open at Royal Sydney. Picture: Mark Evans

Former champion Adam Scott has made a stunning charge on the second day of the Australian Open at Royal Sydney, moving within one shot of the clubhouse lead after the morning session.

Scott (65) started the second round at one over but shot seven birdies and an eagle as he finished his round alongside Rod Pampling (67), Todd Sinnott (68), trailing only Rhein Gibson (66).

Overnight leaders Curtis Luck and Lucas Herbert, along with tournament favourite Jordan Spieth, are in the early stages of their second rounds. Scott started on the 10th and played his opening nine holes in one under.

He found some form on the front nine, highlighting his day with an eagle on the par five 7th as he moved into a threatening position heading into the weekend. Playing partners Aaron Baddeley (66) and Johnathan Vegas (67) also moved into contention on a morning suited for scoring.

“I think momentum is such a huge thing out on the golf course and being over par is never a nice feeling, whether you’re playing good, bad or indifferent,” Scott said.

“As soon as I got it under par, I think for the tournament, I just felt a bit better about myself. You feel like you’re playing well - not that it really matters.

“I hit a lot of good shots. I played a solid last nine holes. Unfortunately, it took me 27 to get that kind of good golf out of me, so hopefully there’s 36 good holes coming up.”

Scott, Baddeley and Vegas combined for 23 birdies and two eagles, feeding off each other.

“I think once someone gets going everyone sees it’s possible,” Scott said.

“It’s a lot easier playing seeing good shots and seeing good putts, and when you know their games a little bit, it’s easy to feed off them and pick the right club once you see how they hit the shot and pick the right shot.

“It’s much easier than when we’re spraying it all over the place. It makes it look hard then. It was just lovely out there - a bit of warmth in the air.

“The ball was travelling a long way, the greens were soft. I wasn’t spot on with everything but I made some good putts when I didn’t get it in there close and managed to keep the errors to a minimum and strung up a good nine (holes).

“It is nice to get out there and right the wrongs from yesterday, for sure.”

On an emotional day for Australian golf, 57-year-old former Australian Open champion Peter Senior called time on his career after struggling through his opening five holes. The veteran has been beset by injuries in recent years and spoke about ending his career after the upcoming Australian PGA.

However, the pain became too great and he eventually opted to withdraw from the Open.

“It’s a tough one to swallow,” Senior said.

“I have been out here for nearly 40 years and have enjoyed every minute. To see it come to an end you look back on it, it’s pretty disappointing to finish this way.

“I really appreciate all the support. I cannot believe how many people come down to see me in the later years of my life and the wins I have had recently on the Australian Tour, especially the Australian Open.

“I won at the Lakes and cannot believe how many people stayed around as bad as the weather was. I have always had a great following and I appreciate them very much for their support and the support of golf in Australia.”