MELBOURNE - Talented Australian amateur Adam Scott emerged from a log-jammed leaderboard yesterday to take a one-stroke lead into the third round of the Ericsson Masters golf tournament.
While the rest of the field struggled with the notorious par-four 18th hole at Huntingdale, Scott hit the pin with his approach shot to birdie it, shoot a 6-under 66 for a two-round 137 and lead New South Wales' Peter Lonard and Western Australian Brad King by one shot.
Seven golfers are in third place on five-under. They include tournament favourite Colin Montgomerie of Scotland and the overnight leader, the Auckland-based Australian veteran Peter Fowler.
With a cut mark of one-over, just eight shots separate the field of 70 golfers at the halfway stage.
The best-placed New Zealander was Steve Alker, stuck in the middle of the field on three-under after carding a 69.
His round was early and conditions became treacherous later as the wind stiffened and the greens picked up speed.
Compatriot Paul Devenport shared the lead on six-under at one point but finished on two-under.
Six of the nine New Zealanders made the cut. Marcus Wheelhouse, Richard Lee and Michael Long are at 143, and Phil Tataurangi is a further stroke back. David Smail missed out, in his first average result of the summer.
-NZPA
Golf: Notorious 18th separates the men from the boys
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