MELBOURNE: South Australian journeyman Paul Spargo will take a one-stroke lead into the final round of the Australian Masters after shooting a one-under 71 yesterday, with double defending champion Adam Scott lurking four strokes behind.
World number two Scott rued a bogey-strewn front nine but made up ground with four birdies after the turn during a hot and windy afternoon at Metropolitan Golf Club.
Today is expected to bring more of the fluky winds that have made low scores rare at the sandbelt course and Scott said a good start was key to winning an unprecedented third trophy in the tournament. “All the signs were good and my swing felt the best of any today,” the 34-year-old told reporters after mixing four bogeys with five birdies.
“The front nine is so key ... turning in five or six-under is really possible and I just need to make it happen.
“I need to turn somewhere near the leaders.”
Spargo, who started the day two strokes behind overnight leader and playing partner Michael Wright, wobbled in the back nine with bogeys on the 12th and 14th but held firm thereafter, draining a clutch putt for par on the last to hold the Queenslander off.
His 71 put him on an eight-under total of 208. AFP
