Scott undaunted by need for record Players comeback

ADAM Scott is confident the drama of TPC Sawgrass will help his and Jason Day’s quest to chase down the equal-largest 36-hole deficit in Players Championship history.

Defending Players champion Day and compatriot Scott face uphill battles in the third round of the US PGA Tour event in Florida, after a pair of even-par 72s left the Australian duo at two under par and well back of co-leaders Louis Oosthuizen and Kyle Stanley.

South Africa’s Oosthuizen, the 2010 British Open winner, and American Stanley each fired a superb 66 to surge to nine under and a two-shot buffer over JB Holmes (69).

Victory for either Scott or world No.3 Day would tie the record for 36-hole comeback (seven shots) at golf’s unofficial fifth major, set by South Africa’s Tim Clark in 2010.

Scott, who became the youngest winner at the Players (aged 23) in 2004, believes the notoriously difficult par-3 17th is one of many obstacles that will prevent a runaway leader.

“You think of big moments on No.17 over the years; something dramatic happens,” the 36-year-old Scott said.

Day, 29, and Scott share 23rd place, with Aaron Baddeley (73) next best of the Australians at one under.

Queenslander Rod Pampling, 47, made the two-over cut on the number after a 74.

Of the Australians to miss the weekend, Cameron Smith (four over) was the biggest casualty in his first event since his maiden Tour victory at the Zurich Classic two weeks ago.

The 23-year-old shot a 77 and joined countrymen Marc Leishman (four over) and Greg Chalmers (six over) in failing to make the cut.