Adam Scott repaid the show of support from fans and his fellow professionals to claim the lead as the Australian PGA Championship turned green in honour of his Masters triumph.
Scott entered the clubhouse with a two-shot lead after shooting a second round four-under 67 at Royal Pines on the Gold Coast on Friday.
While American Rickie Fowler was doing all he could to spoil Scott’s homecoming, immediately pegging Scott back with an eagle on the first hole of his second round, the Gold Coaster feels he’s well-poised to take out his first Australian PGA Championship.
“I put a real focus on getting ready the best I could for this event and wanting to play well,” Scott said.
“Here I am in pretty good shape at the moment. I think I’ll be at the end of the day hopefully not having too much to chase tomorrow but in with a good chance to win the Australian PGA.
“That’s what I was focused on.”
With a huge gallery decked out largely in green as part of a PGA of Australia promotion for Friday’s action, Scott gave fans plenty to cheer early.
A par and a birdie begun his round before he made eagle at the par-five 12th to move into a share of the lead with Victorian David McKenzie.
A second birdie at the par-four fourth put him ahead of McKenzie and after the journeyman’s second bogey on his final hole, Scott was clear in the lead.
Not content with giving the fans plenty to cheer by securing the lead during his round, Scott then spent just under half an hour parading his green jacket to fans, happily signing autographs and taking photos.
But while winning the only one of Australia’s big three golf tournaments remains Scott’s ambition, he has also enjoyed sharing his historic success.
“The PGA wanted to make today a green day and everyone embraced it, even the players. Which is really special for me that my peers would do that,” he said.
“Nice to see that they enjoy seeing an Aussie win the Masters too.”