Defending champion Adam Scott feels like a third Australian Masters title is there for the taking after edging closer to leader Michael Wright.

The world No.2 carded a four-under 68 at Metropolitan golf course to move to three under; six shots behind fellow Queenslander Wright.

Gunning for his third successive Masters crown, Scott believed scores would go low in the hot conditions predicted for Melbourne tomorrow.

“I think there’s something certainly under 65 out there,” Scott said.

“There’s 64 and 63 out there without anything really special happening and I’m sure someone on the weekend will do that … hopefully I’m one of them.”

Scott looked capable of that kind of round on the front nine when he went birdie, eagle, birdie, birdie but then only managed one on the back nine.

He was happy to get within “shouting distance” of the lead after an opening 73.

“I got off to a nice start through 10 holes and I was feeling pretty good but unfortunately things slowed up on the back nine and a couple of random wedge shots cost me my momentum for the day,” Scott said.

“There’s a lot of golf to be played and if I play a good 36 I think I can be in with a chance.”

Wright was one of four players to share the lead after the first round but broke away with a four-under 68.

South Australian Paul Spargo went around in five under to be two shots behind, while Victorian Richard Green also produced a 67 to move to six under.

Green is tied with 22-year-old Melbourne amateur Todd Sinnott, who was among the first round leaders.

Scott is in a group of eight tied for 12th.

Wright’s only bogey in two rounds came on his first hole of round one while today a run of three birdies from the fourth to the sixth, after starting on the back nine, set up the lead.

The Brisbane player was well aware that Scott would be on the hunt on the weekend.

But the 40-year-old, who has won three tier two Australasia PGA events, said he wasn’t fazed.

“This is a golf course where you’ve got to play the course.

“I’m not concerned what he’s doing.

“Obviously he’s a fantastic player and I would expect him to play well over the weekend but I expect myself to play well too.”