Jones leads Down Under

Associated Press

SYDNEY

A “flat” and tired Adam Scott shot a 2-over 73 at the Australian Open on Friday, a round that allowed him to make the cut but likely did little to help him end his 2015 victory drought.

Scott, playing for the sixth time in eight weeks, was right on the cutline when he finished his second round just before midday Friday, but he eventually was two inside the 4-over cut mark. He was tied for 34th and nine strokes behind second-round leader Matt Jones.

He teed off for the third round Saturday morning with playing partner Pan Cheng-tsung of Taiwan, nearly 2 1-2 hours before the leading groups that included defending champion Jordan Spieth, who trails Jones by four strokes.

The winner of at least one tournament every year since 2001, Scott said he failed to take advantage of better scoring conditions and softer greens on The Australian Golf Club course. He three-putted twice for bogeys and didn’t make a single birdie, admitting he couldn’t remember when he last had a round without one.

“I can’t recall off the top of my head, normally I can sneak one in,” said Scott, managing a smile.

“I just misjudged the pace of the greens for most of the day,” Scott added. “I just couldn’t get myself to hit the putt hard enough and when the greens slow down I tend to struggle, and I did again today.”