Hometown hero Adam Scott is on course to set up an immediate showdown with American young gun Rickie Fowler at the Australian PGA Championship on the Gold Coast.
After the first nine holes of the Masters champion’s homecoming at Royal Pines, Scott sits at three-under, five shots off clubhouse leader Fowler following the Californian’s sizzling eight-under 63 in the morning.
Scott began quietly, waiting until the sixth hole to make his first birdie.
But after that the 33-year-old showed the form which has taken him to the world No.2 ranking, making three straight birdies to be on the heels of the leaders at the turn.
Fowler, the second-highest ranked player behind Scott in the field, also made a slow start in his eight-birdie, no bogey round.
After reaching two-under after nine holes, the 24-year-old stormed home on his back nine, making six birdies to make a strong start to his second Australian PGA Championship.
Considered one of the best young stars on the US PGA Tour, Fowler claimed the 2012 Wells Fargo Championship for his maiden Tour win but admits he is aiming to transform himself from prospect to contender just like Scott has over the past three years.
“That’s something I’d like to work on, to get more consistent,” Fowler said.
“That’s been a challenge of mine that I’ve worked on in the last few years, ever since I turned pro.
“Definitely a goal of mine going forward is trying to take my game to the next level and be as consistent as I can be to get myself ready to go and contend at majors and be in the position that Adam Scott’s been in the last year.
“This would be a great start here to get things going in the right direction.”
While the tournament’s big two have made strong starts, it was a pair of Australian journeymen who made the most of perfect conditions to post strong opening rounds.
Queenslander Matthew Ballard stood alone at second after a six-under 65 while Victorian David McKenzie has eclipsed the Gold Coaster to be seven-under with one hole to play.