Masters champion Adam Scott could not have wished for a better performance in his first tournament back home since becoming the first Australian to win at Augusta National.
Scott heads into the final round of the Australian PGA Championship two shots clear and on target to capture the third leg of the Australian golfing ‘Big-3’.
Scott is already a former Australian Open (2009) and Australian Masters champion (2012).
Adam Scott with 2012 Australian Masters trophy.
And in what is a dream final round pairing for organisers of the Australian PGA Championship presented by Coca-Cola is that Scott will tee up in the final group on Sunday alongside American Rickie Fowler.
Despite shooting an even par round of 71, Scott managed to increase his lead by one during round 3 as the field struggled to deal with the tough afternoon conditions at RACV Royal Pines Resort.
At the end of Saturday’s play Scott sits alone at 10-under par while Fowler and Victorian David McKenzie (72) are at 7-under par.
Queenslanders Michael Wright (68) and Steven Jeffress (71) sit a further shot back at 6-under par, while five players including Marc Leishman (68), PGA Trainee Professional Jack Wilson (69), Ashley Hall (71), Nathan Green (73) and New Zealand’s Gareth Paddison (73) finished Saturday at 5-under par rounding out the top 10.
Scott, the hometown favourite who again helped attract massive crowds to the Gold Coast layout, said weather conditions contributed to a much tougher day out on course.
Adam Scott with 2009 Australian Open ‘Stonehaven Trophy’.
“It was tricky out there. If you didn’t play from the fairway there was really no chance of getting it close. It’s a bit of a lottery and every hole played a little bit tougher today,” said Scott who is aiming to win his first ever Professional title in his home state.
“I’m going to have to play well; and if someone comes out firing I might have to adjust the way I play. So, we’ll just see what happens but I feel good after the back nine, I hit a lot of nice shots and I’d like to take that into tomorrow.”
Despite a tough day, Scott and his round 4 playing partner Fowler stayed after their round to sign autographs with the hundreds of waiting fans, only further whetting appetites for a big final day with two of the world’s most popular golfers going head-to-head.
“I’ve had a lot of fun playing with Rickie in the States over the last few years and I think a lot of his game,” Scott added.
“He’s got a big future so it will be nice for us to play well tomorrow and kind of turn it on for everyone who comes out to watch.”
With a one-over par round McKenzie had a much tougher day on the Gold Coast course than most suffering an unusual allergic reaction that among other things affected his vision and balance.
“I might have to check if I have an allergy to wheat, but its not when I have it, it’s afterwards when I’m exercising. Maybe because it was hot today and that stressed my body, but I’m not sure,” he said.
“It’s only three shots and if I can get off to a good start you never know what’s going to happen.”
The final round of the Australian PGA Championship presented by Coca-Cola will get underway from 6.15am tomorrow Sunday morning with the final group of Scott and Fowler to tee off at 11.35am.
