Scott moves into share of Australian Masters lead

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) Defending champion Adam Scott took a share of the second-round lead at the Australian Masters, with birdies on his first three holes Friday and two of his final four giving him a round of 5-under-par 66 at Royal Melbourne.

Scott, winner of this year's U.S. Masters and last week's Australian PGA, had a two-round total of 9-under 133, level with fellow Australian Nathan Holman, who shot 65 on Friday.

They had a one-stroke lead over Australians Matthew Griffin (65) and first-round leader Nick Cullen (69). American Matt Kuchar (66) was four strokes behind the leading pair and in fifth place while Vijay Singh was seven strokes behind after a 68.

"It was a great start but unfortunately I couldn't keep it going," Scott said. "I'm in good shape for the weekend but this course can jump up and get you."

Leukemia survivor Jarrod Lyle shot an even-par round of 71 to make the 36-hole cut in his first tournament in 20 months. He's at 1-over par, 10 strokes behind Scott and Holman.

The 32-year-old Lyle said his legs felt heavy but he would draw on his "fighting instinct" to finish the weekend.

"If I have to crawl those last 18 holes, I'm crawling them," Lyle said. "Nothing's going to stop me from finishing."

Lyle, then a regular on the U.S. PGA Tour, was diagnosed with leukemia in March 2012 just before the birth of daughter Lusi. Lyle's wife, Briony, became pregnant despite medical advice that Lyle's first bout of cancer and the resulting chemotherapy would leave him sterile.

He has a medical exemption to return to the U.S. PGA Tour whenever he feels he's ready. But Lyle said Friday he won't be rushing back to the U.S. until he knows he's physically capable "I don't want to waste the medical starts that I have."

Otherwise, he was enthused about his return.

"I've done it; I've come here and achieved the biggest goal I've set myself for the week and that was to play four rounds of golf," Lyle said. "I couldn't be happier than what I am."

Scott said he and the other Australian golfers were all hoping Lyle would make the weekend.

"It's phenomenal, he's a beauty," Scott said. "I'm so happy for him. To see him finish 1-over, it's great. We love having him back."