Adam Scott has done exactly what was required, going out hard early to move towards the top 10 in round three of the US PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club.

Starting seven shots off Rory McIlroy’s lead and in a tie for 26th, world No.2 Scott grabbed three birdies on the front nine to move to five under and a tie for 11th.

In soft conditions, perfect for scoring, Scott has at least ensured the leaders may feel his presence on the boards.

After opening with an even par 71 and backing up with a 69 Scott said he would be doing everything possible to make a charge on moving day.

“I’ve just got to go out early and try and get up to what the leaders are at before they even tee off,” Scott said following round two.

“It’s still a major. You never know what can happen. Just because Rory’s playing great today, doesn’t mean he’s playing great tomorrow and Sunday, and same with everyone else. There’s a lot of pressure on guys leading a major.”

Scott started Saturday’s charge with a close approach to the second green, knocking in the birdie from three feet.

After missing the drivable par-four fourth Scott chipped up to six feet and made another birdie before throwing a dart inside two feet on the fifth to make it three birdies in just five holes.

Scott’s run was cooled slightly when he missed a short birdie chance on the par-five seventh and long ones on the eighth and ninth.

The 2013 Masters champion said earlier he expected the major championship scoring record of 265, held by David Toms from the 2001 PGA Championship, to be under threat.

The single round major scoring record of 63 also appears to be in the sights of many, including the Queenslander.

Scotsman Marc Warren and American Brooks Koepka have already posted five-under rounds of 66 that could have easily been better while Spain’s Sergio Garcia was five under through 15 holes and England’s Danny Willett five under through 11.

Jason Day had yet to get underway in the final group with McIlroy, just one shot off the world No.1’s lead.

McIlroy will start at nine under, with Day and American veteran Jim Furyk tied second at eight under.

Matt Jones remained three under for the championship through three holes while Geoff Ogilvy is one over on his first six holes to drop to one under for the week.

Marc Leishman had a third round of one-over 72 to be one over for the tournament and currently out of the mix in a tie for 66th.