Scott cards course record
Adam Scott carded a 10-under par 62 to claim a three-shot lead after the first round of the Australian Open on Thursday.
The Masters champion birdied the first six holes of his round en route to a new course record, smashing the previous record at Royal Sydney that was shared by Chris Gaunt, Matt Goggin, Stephen Dartnall, Ewan Porter and Jason Norris, by three shots.
After the opening six birdies, Scott scored pars on the next eight, before closing with four more successive birdies.
The round of 62 handed Scott and excellent opportunity to win all three majors on the Australian Tour in the same year, a feat only managed previously by Robert Allenby in 2005. The 33-year-old has already won the Australian Masters and PGA Championship this year.
“The longest putt I had on those opening birdies was about five feet,” Scott said.
“I hit a lot of quality shots right out of the blocks this morning.
“I’m off to a good start, but a lot of work to do yet.
It’s been a long time since I shot a low round like this. It’s a tough setup but it was a perfect morning for it.”
Three shots behind Scott after a round of 65 is unheralded Canadian player Ryan Yip, with Australia’s David McKenzie another stroke further back on six-under after his round of 66.
Aaron Baddeley carded a 67 and is in a tie for fourth place alongside two more Australians, Jason Norris and Jason Scrivener, while a group of six players are tied on four-under.
Former world number one Rory McIlroy, still looking for his first win of 2013, had to settle for a three-under par 69.
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