Great Scott! Adam’s two shots clear

A second round 65 put Adam Scott two clear at the Singapore Open, but Ian Poulter and Graeme McDowell are still in the hunt.
Adam Scott took control of the Singapore Open after a second-round 65 saw the Australian establish a two-stroke advantage, but defending champions Ian Poulter and Graeme McDowell are still in the hunt at Sentosa Golf Club.
Scott blitzed the front nine of the Tanjon course in just 29 shots, sinking five birdies from the third to the eighth holes and adding an eagle three at the sixth.
The Australian cooled off heading home, collecting just one birdie to go with two bogeys and signing for a second consecutive six-under-par effort that left him two clear of the pack going into the weekend.
However, a number of players are still to complete their second rounds following Thursday morning’s four-hour storm delay.
“It was a good day overall, it was a long day – 30 holes of golf – so I’m pleased with the outcome,” Scott told the European Tour website.
“It was a shame to slow down a bit on the back nine but that’s golf I suppose. It’s out there and you still have to go out and make the putts if you are going to score well.
“Every time you have won somewhere you always enjoy going back and you have good feelings and I have had a great run here in Singapore in the past. It would be great to have another great run over the weekend and get win number three.
“But I just enjoy being here, everyone is really supportive and I have a good time playing golf here.”
Poulter hauled himself back into contention with a fabulous 63 at the Tanjon course.
The defending champion found himself languishing down the leaderboard on two under par, but after going out in 34, Poulter picked up six birdies on the way back – including at the last courtesy of a monster 80-foot putt – to move within two of Scott.
Graeme McDowell lies in a tie for third on nine under as he could not capitalise on a fast start to eventually card a 68.
McDowell had spoken prior to the tournament of his aim to reduce Martin Kaymer’s lead in the Race to Dubai standings, and the Northern Irishman set about his task in determined fashion.
The 31-year-old recorded birdies on the first four holes before a bogey on five checked his progress. That was to prove the sum total of his scoring as a birdie on the 13th was given back at the very next hole.
He was joined by Fredrik Andersson Hed and Kang Kyun-nam, who returned rounds of 65 and 67 respectively, and Joost Luiten, who was tearing up the Tanjon course with the Dutchman six under for his round through 12 holes before darkness called a halt to proceedings.
Rikard Karlberg, Prayad Marksaeng, Jeev Milkha Singh and Liang Wen-chong were tied for seventh on eight under par, while Welshman Jamie Donaldson was joined by Kim Bi-o, John Huh and Gregory Bourdy on seven under.
Kaymer was in a large group at six under par after the German completed a second consecutive 68. He was joined by Phil Mickelson, who shot a 69, and Chris Wood, who followed up yesterday’s stunning 63 over the Tanjon course with a disappointing two-over 73 on the more difficult Serapong layout.
Latest
-
US Open
5 major contenders for the 123rd US Open
Matt Fitzpatrick is bidding to join Brooks Koepka in winning back-to-back titles.
-
US Open
US Open offers on-course respite from golf’s turbulent times
Matt Fitzpatrick will defend his title with many questions still hanging over the game’s future.
-
LIV Golf
Architect of golf’s surprise merger calls for people ‘to come together’
Jimmy Dunne said there is ‘too much divisiveness’ between the rival tours.
-
PGA Tour
Matt Fitzpatrick one off pace in Canadian Open ahead of title defence
England’s Aaron Rai shares the first-round lead in final event before US Open.
-
PGA Tour
Matt Fitzpatrick one off lead at Canadian Open as compatriot Aaron Rai sets pace
Rai was one of three players on five under par midway through the opening round.
-
PGA Tour
Paul McGinley: PGA Tour players will feel like the losers out of golf merger
The former Ryder Cup captain feels PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan has put himself in a “very tricky position”.
-
PGA Tour
Rory McIlroy left feeling ‘like a sacrificial lamb’ after golf merger
McIlroy was kept in the dark about the stunning deal which was announced on Tuesday.
-
PGA Tour
Rory McIlroy ‘surprised’ and has ‘mixed emotions’ over peace deal in world golf
The Northern Irishman thinks “ultimately it’s going to be good” for the professional game.
-
PGA Tour
Rory McIlroy involved in angry exchange at PGA Tour players meeting – report
Players are coming to terms with the shock merger with LIV Golf.
-
LIV Golf
Why has Saudi Arabia become big player in world sport and what does future hold?
The country sees sport as vital to diversifying its economy and encouraging activity among its citizens.