Australia's Adam Scott yesterday took advantage of calmer conditions at East Lake Golf Club, moving two strokes clear midway through the season-ending Tour Championship second round at Atlanta.
The world number four, who carded a 69 in gusting winds the previous day, rattled up four birdies in seven
holes to turn four-under, before a bogey on the 10th saw him close with a 67.
"(The year has) been a little bit disappointing," Scott admitted.
"I've played probably the best I ever have over the period of a year but have nothing to show for it other than a win in Singapore. I was looking for a little more than that, really.
"This weekend is a good chance for me to get something out of my good play over the year."
The talented 26-year-old hasn't played poorly when he's been in contention, though. Scott shot 64 in the final round of the Nissan Open to finish one stroke behind Rory Sabbatini.
Tiger Woods beat him at the World Golf Championships-American Express Championship while Vijay Singh finished two strokes ahead at the Barclays Classic.
"You look at how Tiger closes out the deal when he's in contention," Scott said. "And that is something that I need to look at and figure out how I can do that, because I had two or three really good chances this year to do that and I didn't get it done.
"That was disappointing, but that's something a young player needs to learn, too."
Despite the absence of a PGA Tour victory this year, Scott has risen to fourth in the world and sixth on the money list. He's third in scoring average as well as in the PGA tour's all-around ranking.
Consistency has been the key, and last week was no exception. Scott has hit 64 per cent of his fairways and 72 per cent of the greens in regulation. He's averaged 29 putts per round, which ranks him eighth.
American Joe Durant, co-leader overnight with Retief Goosen, was tied for the lead with Scott. Tied in third are Trevor Immelman - with a best-of-the-day 66 - Brett Quigley, Stuart Appelby and Goosen.
