Hot Scott stretches lead at Johnnie Walker Classic
Pakistan Times Sports Desk

BEIJING (China): Australia’s Adam Scott took a stranglehold on the Johnnie Walker Classic as he stretched his lead to six strokes in the unfinished third round.

Scott, who fired a course record 63 and a six under par in his first two rounds, hit five birdies against one bogey to lead Sweden’s Henrik Stenson and America’s Gary Rusnak as play ended for the day.

The world number 10, aged only 24, remained in devastating touch despite playing 29 holes on Saturday to make up for Thursday’s suspension due to high winds at the Pine Valley course.

“It was a long day but a good day and I did what I had to do because I knew the guys behind me were going to make birdies if there was no wind,” he said.

“Hopefully we can get some nice conditions tomorrow and everything keeps rolling along as it is because I feel comfortable.”

Just 28 players completed the third round which resumes early on Sunday before the high-profile field, including four of the world’s top 10, heads into the fourth.

US Open champion Retief Goosen started strongly but then made a bogey in failing light. The world number five was seven strokes off the pace along with fellow South African Richard Sterne and Scotland’s Steven O’Hara.

“I’m a bit too far back to win the tournament,” Goosen said. “I can just try my best and see if I can finish up there in a good position.”

Rising English star Luke Donald, who placed third at the US Masters, carded a 65, the round’s best score so far, to move to 11 under.

Ernie Els, tinkering with his swing after a disappointing Masters, hit six birdies in his 14 holes marred by a double-bogey on the third. The triple major-winner was 10 under for the tournament, level with New Zealand’s Michael Campbell and a stroke ahead of Colin Montgomerie and Sergio Garcia.●