Scott, Green on top in Australian Open

MELBOURNE: Major winners Adam Scott and Hannah Green underlined their big-event mentality to move into contention after two rounds of the concurrent Australian Open men’s and women’s golf championships.

Scott shot a bogey-free 7-under 63 late Friday to equal the host club Victoria’s course record also carded by local pro David Micheluzzi in the opening round.

The pair will go head-to-head in the final group on Saturday after Micheluzzi carded a steady 71 at Kingston Heath to be tied for the lead with Scott at 8-under 134.

Championship favorite and British Open champion Cameron Smith had a nervous afternoon before eventually making the weekend right on the cut line at 2-over after a 73 Friday.

Men and women are playing off alternate tees at both courses over the first two rounds, in a historic first for a national golf championship.

There was a 36-hole cut of the top 60 and ties for both championships on Friday, and there will be a second cut of the top 30 and ties following play Saturday.

Green had five birdies in her last eight holes to take the halfway lead at 11-under 134 in the women’s event.

She described the 6-under 66 as “my best ball-striking round of the year” and added “I felt like I hit pretty much where I wanted to.”

The West Australian heads a star-laden women’s leaderboard with five past major winners in the top six players that also contains first-round leader Grace Kim.

South Korea’s Jiyai Shin, Green’s playing partner for the first two rounds, had seven birdies in her 68 to sit at 9-under, two shots ahead of compatriot So Yeon Ryu, Women’s British Open champion Ashleigh Buhai and Kim.

Australian Minjee Lee continued her steady climb up the leaderboard to be sixth at 5-under, six shots off the pace heading into the third round. Lee shot her second consecutive 70.