A bogey-free round of six-under-par 65 on day two at the US PGA Tour’s AT&T Byron Nelson is enough for Adam Scott fans to be excited about his turnaround in form.
The 37-year-old Australian sits at 10 under and five shots back of 36-hole leader and fellow Australian Marc Leishman (61, 66) at rookie host Trinity Forest in Dallas.
Having switched to the long-handled putter before the Wells Fargo at Quail Hollow two weeks ago, Scott is trending upwards on the greens.
His 65 on Friday is the second 18-hole display without a bogey in his past three rounds, having avoided a blemish on the card during the final day at the Players Championship, where he finished tied 11th.
At TPC Sawgrass, Scott ranked 32nd in the 144-player field at TPC Sawgrass for strokes gained in putting and 18th in the tee-to-green category.
This week, he is nowhere near as high in the strokes gained category as he navigates Trinity Forest’s links-style greens, but it is clear improved putting has freed up the rest of his game.
The former Masters winner ranks third at the Byron Nelson for strokes gained in approach play.
“I’d love to hole a couple more putts but that’s not easy out here,” Scott said.
“Last couple weeks has been really solid and much calmer going to the first tee (each day).”
Scott moved up six spots to world No.65 after the Players, and needs a strong finish in Dallas to sneak inside the world’s top 60 who are exempt for the US Open at Shinnecock Hills when the first of two qualification windows closes on May 21.
“I think if I can somehow work my way out of this little average zone that I’ve put myself in, the experience I have is even better than the time I worked my way out of that area before,” he said. “I feel like I’ve got my best golf to play.”
