Adam Scott charges into lead at PGA

Associated Press

ATLANTA

Adam Scott is playing well enough to win the Tour Championship. With a little help, he could win a lot more.

Scott figured he was too far back in the FedEx Cup at No. 19 to have a realistic chance at the $10 million bonus. His main concern was heading home to Australia after this week with the crystal trophy from the Tour Championship.

His chances have changed, even if his focus hasn’t.

Scott finished birdie-birdie for the second straight day on the tough closing holes at East Lake, allowing him to recover from a rugged start for a 5-under 65 on Friday and a one-shot lead over K.J. Choi.

He hit a 9-iron from a divot on the 17th to 7 feet, then hit a 3-iron into about 10 feet on the par-3 18th to finish at 8-under 132 and head into the weekend of the FedEx Cup finale with increasing possibilities.

“I’ve got to win, and I imagine Webb [Simpson] must have to finish pretty low to give me a chance,” Scott said of the FedEx Cup. “That’s all I know. I just figured if I win this week, I’ll be happy no matter what. I’ll finish what I think has been a really good season.”

Choi also had a 65 and will be in the final group today with Scott.

Two shots behind were Luke Donald, the No. 1 player in the world and No. 4 in the FedEx Cup, who had a 68; and Jason Day, who was paired with Scott on a balmy afternoon and shot 67.

Bubba Watson had the low round of the day at 64 and was three shots behind with a pair of Presidents Cup hopefuls, Bill Haas and Keegan Bradley, and Hunter Mahan. Bradley, who had a two-shot lead, bogeyed two of his first five holes and never quite recovered in his round of 71.

Scott, who won the Tour Championship at East Lake in 2006 the year before the FedEx Cup was created, also had a scrappy start with three bogeys on the opening six holes.

“I was pretty annoyed at myself, but I’m playing too good to let myself flip away at the moment,” he said.