Golf: Sizzling Scott gets back in contention

Adam Scott of Australia. Photo / Getty Images

Adam Scott charged to within a shot of the lead yesterday with a sizzling second round at the Australian Open golf tournament in Sydney.

After a three-over 74 on Thursday left him in danger of missing the halfway cut, Scott bounced back with a five-under 66 yesterday.

The world No3 collected an eagle and three birdies in an unblemished display to surge to two-under for the championship behind leader Greg Chalmers who shot a 66.

With the Jack Nicklaus-designed layout at The Australian revamped four years ago, Scott's round was a course record.

"We'll see how long that lasts," said Scott. "We had a good morning for it so I had to take advantage just for the sake of getting myself back into the tournament. It's fun to shoot a course record. I'm pretty sure it won't hold up for the rest of the week."

In fact, it held up for less than an hour with American Jamie Lovelock peeling off five consecutive birdies on the back nine in a record six-under 65 to claw his way back to even.

Not that Scott would have been too fussed.

"Yesterday, I got off to a bad start and, in the wind, it was tricky and I didn't scramble when I had to early in the round and it was slipping away from me," he said.

"Today, it didn't start much better - I was scrambling - but I scrambled well and then, all of sudden, I made eagle at 14 and momentum is on your side."

Scott finished his round in a share of third with Rod Pampling (67), former champion Robert Allenby (69), youngster Jake Higginbottom (69).

World No1 Rory McIlroy remained in contention, one shot behind the leader after shooting a 69.

Jordan Spieth had four bogeys and three birdies in his 72 to have all but one of his seven-stroke first-round advantage over Scott wiped out.

The American drawcard was annoyed at taking bogey on the par-3 fourth after a marshall trod on his ball and he was forced to take a drop.

But he hit back with birdies on his final two holes to claim a share of the clubhouse lead with Aron Price.

Players were wearing black ribbons during the second round to honour cricketer Phillip Hughes.

Championship director Trevor Herden said it was a sign of solidarity in the sporting community as Australia mourned the loss of one of its top professional sportsmen.

"We feel it's the right thing to do to show our tournament and the players are right behind the Hughes family and the cricket community," Herden said.

- AAP