Scott sets Akron pace with 63

DAVID HOWELL and Luke Donald were among the pack chasing leader Adam Scott when the £3.9 million Bridgestone world championship began in Akron yesterday.

But the Ryder Cup hopes of Lee Westwood, 79, and Ian Poulter, 71, suffered a real setback.

Scott, joint third with Donald in the US PGA championship in Chicago on Sunday, grabbed an astonishing nine birdies in his last 12 holes, came home in 29 and signed for a seven under par 63.

He finished two ahead of American Jason Gore, who unlike Paul McGinley, 77, was inspired by partnering Tiger Woods, with Howell and Donald three under and joint fourth — with defending champion Woods among others. Padraig Harrington shot a 73.

Westwood and Poulter need a top-six finish this week to keep alive their hopes of climbing into the top 10 after next week’s concluding event in Munich.