Scott takes two-shot lead
Adam Scott fired a six-under-par 66 to claim a two-shot lead at the WGC-Cadillac Championship in Miami on Friday.
Scott, who is on 10-under, is followed by Rory McIlroy and defending champion Dustin Johnson as the pair surged up the leaderboard to end the day on eight-under.
Danny Willett occupies fourth place on seven-under, while Bubba Watson is in a tie for fifth with Charley Hoffman on six-under.
World number one Jordan Spieth slipped down into a tie for 12th and remains seven strokes adrift of the lead, while Jason Day is 12 strokes behind Scott after carding a two-over-par 74.
Scott, who triumphed at the Honda Classic last week, continued his run of good form as he began his round at Trump National Doral with a 26-foot birdie putt at the first before making another birdie at the next hole. Despite recording a bogey at the third, Scott bounced back with consecutive birdies at the sixth and seventh.
The Australian maintained his momentum on the back nine as he made four birdies, three of which came in a row from the 15th to 17th, and a bogey.
McIlroy climbed up 14 spots on the leaderboard following a superb seven-under-par 65, which saw him make five birdies, including four in a row from the fifth to eighth, and a bogey on the front nine. The world number three enjoyed more success on the back nine as he registered three more birdies, which included a 23-foot putt at the 15th.
Johnson, who carded an eight-under-par 64, had a day to remember as he began with three birdies on the front nine before proceeding to make an incredible five birdies on the back nine to keep his hopes of retaining his title alive.
Watson meanwhile made four birdies and a bogey during his round of 69 and is now four strokes off the lead.
Spieth fell down four spots on the leaderboard after recording a level-par 72, which began with him making a birdie and two bogeys on the front nine. Spieth’s turbulent round continued on the back nine as he made three birdies to go along with two bogeys, which occurred when he missed par putts between four and five feet.
Day struggled on Friday as he began his round of 74 with a trio of birdies and two bogeys on the front nine. After a mediocre start, the world number two faltered on the back nine as he made three bogeys at the 10th, 14th and 18th.
Latest
-
UKRory McIlroy taking couple of weeks off in bid to eliminate ‘dumb mistakes’
The world number one has become frustrated by errors that have kept him out of contention.
-
UKJohnson wins Travelers as McIlroy stumbles
The American won his first tournament since March last year.
-
GolfDustin Johnson on the charge as Rory McIlroy challenge fades
Brendon Todd led the way after the third round of the Travelers Championship.
-
GolfMcIlroy stays in hunt at virus-marred Travelers Championship
McIlroy is four shots behind leader Phil Mickelson after seven withdrawals from the event due to Covid-19
-
GolfMatt Wallace after playing partners’ withdrawal: ‘It’s just nice to know we’re OK’
Matt Wallace opens up on his lucky escape at the coronavirus-hit Travelers Championship.
-
Northern IrelandDenny McCarthy departs Travelers Championship after positive coronavirus test
Seven players have now withdrawn from the PGA Tour event for reasons relating to Covid-19.
-
GolfRory McIlroy on the heels of leader Mackenzie Hughes at Travelers Championship
The Northern Irishman shot seven-under 63.
-
UKRory McIlroy makes promising start in Connecticut
The Northern Irishman shot an opening round of 63.
-
GolfColin Montgomerie: PGA Tour has become ‘quite lax’ over coronavirus threat
Colin Montgomerie is worried the PGA Tour isn’t taking the threat of coronavirus seriously enough.
-
GolfMcIlroy: ‘You hear one or two positive tests and people start panicking’
Rory McIlroy reckons it would have been “silly” to shut down the Travelers Championship.