Adam Scott’s assault on the FedEx Cup remains on track despite shooting an “unlucky” four-under-par 67 opening round in the BMW Championship, the third of four US PGA Tour playoff events.

Scott managed five birdies and just the lone bogey to be tied seventh, four shots back of leader Brandt Snedeker.

Snedeker, the reigning FedEx Cup champion, carded a bogey-free eight-under 63, including a season-record seven straight birdies, to be one clear of countryman Zach Johnson (64).

World No.1 Tiger Woods, Steve Stricker and South African Charl Schwartzel sit tied third, three back of Snedeker after they fired rounds of 66.

Scott had makeable birdie putts on each of his opening nine holes, the back nine of the course, but only managed to jag three as the other chances constantly teased the hole but wouldn’t drop.

He came into the event running hot after winning the opening playoff event last month but more recently broke a longstanding course record at the famous Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in New York on Monday.

While his 63 there came from the members “tips” and not the championship tees used for US Opens past, it took the Queenslander’s confidence up another echelon.

He then blitzed Conway Farms in the Wednesday Pro-Am with his team securing first place allowing him to confidently claim he should be greedy and aim to win each event he plays for the remainder of the year.

“I made everything in the Pro-Am and I came out and was rolling it good today but was just a little unlucky to see them slipping by,” he said of his putting.

“I played really, really well on my front nine and burned a few edges, so it could have been better but it set me up for a good round and I managed to hang on as the wind picked up.”

Scott admitted his hit at Shinnecock, where he bested four-time major champion Raymond Floyd’s mark for the record, had certainly given him a lift.

He had to make a 12-foot curling putt on his final hole to get it on a course that has seen four US Opens in the past and will again host in 2018.

“It’s pretty cool. The members got pretty excited when I came off the course and it is one of the best tracks in the world for sure,” Scott beamed.

“No one has ever shot that score in over 100 years off the tees I played so that’s a pretty neat thing.

“It was a really fun day and I felt a little sense of achievement absolutely especially beating Raymond Floyd. It’s added to a really good year.”

Scott expected scoring to get a little tougher at Conway Farms over the final three rounds but was hopeful of making his push.

“Four under around here today is a good start and something to build on for the rest of the week,” he said.

“If I can have three more days like today, I reckon I’ll be close.”

New South Welshman Matt Jones, who likely needs a top-five finish to steal a spot in next week’s Tour Championship, was the next best Australian at two-under 69.

Jones, who vowed to play aggressively in his quest to make Atlanta, notched up seven birdies but stumbled with five bogeys, two coming in his last two holes to leave him tied 14th.

Jason Day, who like Scott is already assured safe passage to Atlanta, fired an average even par 71 to be tied 29th.

Marc Leishman, who also needs a high finish to survive, has his work cut out for him after a 73 left him tied 51st in the 70-man field.