Adam Scott was faultless on Friday during the second round at the Australian Open.

He was even right when predicting his course-record five-under-par 66 at the revamped Australian Golf Club wouldn’t last long.

“I’m pretty sure it might not hold up for the rest of the week, but it feels good anyway,” Scott said after collecting an eagle and three birdies in a flawless round that rocketed the world No.3 to within one shot of the lead.

But his record lasted barely half-an-hour.

California’s Jamie Lovemark claimed it with a six-under 65.

The American, who started on the back nine, went on an early birdie blitz, draining putts on the 10th, 14th, 15th, 16th, 17th and 18th holes.

“I wasn’t aware it was the course record,” Lovemark said.

“I played well and made some birdies, but it’s nice to have the course record from Adam.”

Asked the difference between his opening round of six-over 77 and his red-hot 65, Lovemark was quick to point out the difference in the conditions on course.

“It’s just the way golf is. Sometimes you get hot; sometimes you’re not,” he said.

“Conditions were pretty favourable this morning. The greens weren’t super quick; the wind was down.”

While Lovemark clawed his way back to even par for the championship, Scott soared from 82nd on Thursday into the top 10 and very much in contention after his hopes appeared dashed following his first-round 76.

“Yesterday, I got off to a bad start and, in the wind, it was tricky and I didn’t scramble when I had to early in the round and it was slipping away from me,” Scott said.

“Today, it didn’t start much better – I was scrambling – but I scrambled well and then, all of sudden, I made eagle at 14 and momentum is on your side.”