Former Rebel Adam Scott in the hunt at St. Andrews
ST. ANDREWS, Scotland — Rain at the Old Course at St. Andrews delayed British Open play for three hours Friday morning, but it couldn’t stop Adam Scott from shooting one of the best rounds of the tournament.
The former UNLV standout from Australia carded a bogey-free, 5-under-par 67 to reach 7-under 137 heading into the weekend, three strokes out of the lead. American Dustin Johnson was alone in first place at 10 under through 13 holes when the second round was suspended by darkness.
“Any time you can go bogey-free in a major, it’s going to be a good round,” Scott said. ”I thought I played consistent and I finished well today.”
Scott’s performance followed an opening round of 70 and his tournament-best 64 in the final round of the U.S. Open last month.
Scott, 35, said his play this week is reminiscent of past British Opens he failed to win. In 2012 at Royal Lytham & St. Anne’s, he was leading at 11 under going into Sunday but fell apart with a 5-over 75 to finish second. In 2013 at Muirfield, Scott was within striking distance but closed with a 1-over 72 to finish third.
Those failures have left a chip on his shoulder, Scott admitted.
“I feel like I’ve been very close to lifting this trophy, and I’m very motivated to do it this week,” he said.
Scott has played only the U.S. Open and British Opens during the last several weeks. He credits his upward trend partly to his reunion with formerly retired caddie Steve Williams after their 10-month hiatus.
“We’ve really hit our stride straight away,” Scott said. “He’s getting the best out of me on the course.”
Though Scott’s putting average of 1.75 putts per hole through two rounds at St. Andrews ranks in the middle of the field, he has hit 30 of 36 greens in regulation, the fifth-highest percentage among the 156 starters.
“I’m hitting the right shots, certainly,” he told the Review-Journal, “and really sinking putts when I need to.”
With winds of 30 to 40 mph and more showers forecast over the weekend, Scott said it’s too early to predict what score he’ll need to shoot to win.
“Too many variables with this weather,” he said, “and a lot of golf to be played.”
Contact Chris Kudialis at ckudialis@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0283. Follow him: @kudialisrj
