Adam Scott had fellow Aussie reigning Wimbledon champ Ashleigh Barty for added moral support as he looks to become only the third Australian in 66-years to capture the European Tour’s flagship BMW PGA Championship.
Scott superbly birdied his closing two holes for a second day running in signing for a three-under par 69 for a 10-under-par tally to be lying fourth heading to the weekend rounds on the West Course at Wentworth.
Thailand’s Kiradech Aphirbarnrat, who has shared the lead on day one, added a second round 68 to lead by a shot from American Laurie Canter (66) and Italian Francesco Laporta (65)
It had been a bizarre start to Scott’s second round, launching an absolute missile down the first to be 125-yards from the flag but only to walk off with a bogey ‘5’. He then birdied the second hole for a second day but posted a horror double-bogey ‘6’ at the third ahead of a brilliant eagle from around 10-feet at the fourth.
Grand @atptour Slam support with @AdamScott followed @BMWPGA by fellow 🇦🇺 @ashbarty & 2021 @Wimbledon 🏆
Adam now looks becoming first @GolfAust to win @EuropeanTour HQ in 6⃣6⃣ years
But don’t mention first 4 holes day two 😁
Read – https://t.co/hGSTUcYB8N@PGAofAustralia pic.twitter.com/X8rEFMgJzO
— Fatiha (@TOURMISS) September 10, 2021
There were suggestions as Scott made his way to the par-3 fifth hole that the only thing missing on his card was an ‘ace’ before walking off with a par.
The double Grand Slam winning Barty, who loves her golf, had been spotted by Sydneysider and former European Tour winning Wayne ‘Radar’ Riley, now working for SKY Sports Golf and a legend among the UK crowds. ‘Radar’ was in friendly discussion with Barty and with the 25-year-old Barty walking the full 18-holes supporting Scott.
Riley had, in fact, shot a then new course record 63 in the 1991 Wentworth event and with Victorian Mike Harwood capturing the title, and that also being the last time an Australian won at European Tour HQ. Rodger Davis in 1986 had been the first from ‘Down Under’ to do so.
Scott, contesting the event for a first time in 15-years, bogeyed the ninth but produced an inward half of 33 that included a birdie hat-trick from the 11th and while dropping a shot on 14, the then birdied the par-5 17th.
There was a huge roar of delight from one of the biggest golfing crowds this year in the UK, and including The Open, when Scott took on the par-5 18th with his second shot and producing what he said was his ‘swing of the day’ in clearing the small man-made stream that guards the green to brilliantly find the ‘dance floor’ and set-up an easy two-putt birdie.
“I felt good leaving the golf course as it was a bit squirrely (smiling) early on but overall, it was two good days work and I am right in the mix”, he said.
Adam Scott’s swing sequence … it has not changed or being altered in 21-years a professional
“I feel like I am swinging well and glad you didn’t bring up the first three holes, as it was important to get back on track quickly. I feel like I have got my numbers well dialled in and I’m rolling-in a good few putts here and there.
“You have to take advantage of the par-5s out here and I think I have done that well these two days, so overall these two rounds have been great and Wentworth has not looked better.
“I’ve heard the good reports from all the work they’ve done on the course over the past few years and it’s nice to come back and enjoy playing the tournament again”.
