SYDNEY — A “flat” and tired Adam Scott shot a 2-over 73 at the Australian Open on Friday, a round likely to allow him to scrape into the weekend but do little to end his 2015 victory drought.
Scott, playing for the sixth time in eight weeks, was right on the cutline when he finished his second round just before midday Friday, but higher afternoon scores would likely see the number go a few strokes to his advantage.
The winner of at least one tournament every year since 2001, Scott said he failed to take advantage of better scoring conditions and softer greens on The Australian Golf Club course Friday.
Scott, who three-putted twice for bogeys, didn’t make a single birdie, admitting he couldn’t remember when he last had a round without one.
“I can’t recall off the top of my head, normally I can sneak one in,” said Scott, managing a smile.
He was nine shots off the lead when he finished his round.
“I just misjudged the pace of the greens for most of the day,” Scott said. “I just couldn’t get myself to hit the putt hard enough and when the greens slow down I tend to struggle, and I did again today.”
Scott, who started on the back nine Friday, three-putted from 15 feet on the par-3 11th, and did the same on the par-4 sixth. He also missed makeable birdie putts on the 12 and 14th holes to make the turn in 1-over 37.
On the eighth hole — his second-last of the day — he left a birdie attempt about a foot short, the fifth or sixth time he failed to get the pace right. Even longtime former caddie Steve Williams, back on his bag for this tournament, couldn’t offer him any assistance.
Scott was asked whether Williams had managed to give him an “ear bash” over his poor putting, and he responded with a laugh.
“Not really, I could have given him one though … getting wet on the 14th,” he said, referring to his club selection on the hole, obviously suggested by Williams. He escaped with a par on the par-5 hole, though.
Asked if he’d practice in the afternoon, he replied: “No, I’ve played plenty of golf, I’ll just go home.”
He still rates himself a chance on the weekend.
“I’ve just got to play two good rounds,” he said. “I think I can shoot a couple of mid-60s; it’s really do-able if you play good and I’ve just got to put it together.”
Scott is actually winless in 18 months with his last tournament victory coming at the Colonial in Texas after he became No. 1 in May 2014.