By Brendan James
Golf Australia Editor
at The Australian Open
Former World No.3 Adam Scott heads into today's final round of the Australian Open with a two-stroke lead over Stuart Appleby and the chance to break an almost decade long duck.
Despite winning 15 titles worldwide, the 29-year-old Queenslander has never won a professional tournament on Australian soil. With just five bogies blotting his scorecard for the first 54 holes, Scott is the short-priced favourite to add his name to the Stonehaven Cup later this afternoon at the picturesque NSW Golf Club.
Late in the third round, Scott dropped back into a share of the lead at 13 under with Appleby after making bogies at the 15th and 16th holes. But he regained his advantage within sight of the clubhouse with a solid birdie at the par-3 17th and a spectacular up-and-down birdie 4 at the 18th after his second shot hit a spectator on the wrist and dropped into long greenside rough.
Scott starts today at 15 under, while Appleby fired a one-under-par 71 to finish at 13 under through 54 holes.
While plenty of attention was paid to Appleby's magnificent ball-striking display in tough conditions during rounds one and two, Scott's play has been equally superb, albeit in less wind.
At the start of the week, the Queenslander spoke of working on his putting and swing and the renewed confidence he has in his game. Heading into today's final round, Scott has hit more greens in regulation than any other player in the field (average 78 percent through three rounds) and is 16th in putting. They're stats that will win most golf tournaments.
Appleby has his chance too to add a second Australian Open title to the resume but he will have to close the two-shot gap on Scott early and avoid any mistakes around the challenging par-72 layout if he is to claim the Stonehaven Cup.
Light north-easterly breezes are making scoring easier today, which gives Nick O'Hern (-8) and James Nitties (-7) a slight chance if they can post a tournament-low round of 64 or 65.
Scott and Appleby are due to tee off at 12.25 (ESDT).
Can Scott hold on for his first Australian Open win or will Appleby add to his 2001 title? Let us know what you think.
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