Scott hits course record to lead in China

Adam Scott carded a superb course record 63 to open up a four-shot lead in the delayed first round of the Johnnie Walker Classic today.

High winds meant only three-and-a-half hours play was possible yesterday, none of the morning starters playing more than 13 holes and the afternoon’s play abandoned entirely.

Scott was among those who had started their rounds and led the way on three under par after 10 holes, and the Australian finished in spectacular style at Pine Valley when play resumed in benign conditions at 6.50am local time this morning.

Starting on the second, his 11th hole, Scott opened with two birdies and then finished with a run of birdie-eagle-birdie to race home in just 30.

The 24-year-old pitched to within two inches of the hole on the seventh and then repeated the trick with a four-iron to the par-five eighth, almost holing out for a rare albatross.

At nine under par Scott was four ahead of playing partner Sergio Garcia who birdied three of his last four holes for a 67, with Taiwan’s Ter-Chang Wang a shot further back on four under.

Ernie Els was eight shots off the pace despite playing his last eight holes in three under, the world number three finishing one under.

Scott and the other early starters will not play again until tomorrow, but the disruption has come as no surprise, especially to the players based in the United States where nine of the last 16 events – including the US Masters - suffered from bad weather.

“I was up bloody early, 4.30am,” said Scott. “We are coming back tomorrow for the second round but it is pretty much standard practice for us now. Seven of my last eight events have had full day weather delays so I am getting used to it.”

Of the afternoon starters, Scott Drummond was making the most headway with a front nine of 32 to lie four under par.

Colin Montgomerie was level par after four but then birdied the fifth and eighth to go out in 34, two under par, and picked up another shot on the 13th.