Adam Scott vaulted into contention on the PGA Tour in San Diego today with a brilliant, second-round 69 in tough conditions. The Australian is a shot from the lead in a tie for second at the halfway mark of the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines. Scott hit the outright lead when he bombed a big drive then short-ironed in close at the par five sixth hole, his 15th of the day, making eagle. Two bogeys after finding bunkers at the seventh and eighth followed, but he made a two-metre birdie putt at the ninth to close it out. "It was a tough day starting out and it kind of stayed that way all day," he said later. "Some storms and squalls blew through, but I hit it pretty good off the tee and into the greens until the last three holes I was a bit sketchy. But I survived." Scott said his patience had held on Torrey Pines' south course, by repute the more difficult of the two. "I managed myself pretty well. It was a bit of a day of survival, and it was nice to move up playing the harder course today." Late in the day leaving Viktor Hovland overtook Scott and a bunch of others to reach nine under but Scott is right in the hunt.

A bunch of Australians made it through to the weekend including Marc Leishman, Rhein Gibson and Cameron Davis all at three under par and inside the top 30.

Meanwhile in the European Tour's Dubai Desert Classic Lucas Herbert (23rd) is the best-placed Australian entering the third round.

Leaderboard

European Tour scores