WGC-Cadillac Championship: Adam Scott beats Rory McIlroy to the top
Adam Scott maintained his red-hot form after charging to the top of the WGC-Cadillac Championship leaderboard by two shots at the end of the second round, ahead of Rory McIlroy.
Scott is in a purple patch after claiming The Honda Classic last week, having finished runner-up at the Northern Trust Open seven days prior.
And Australia’s former world number one is on track to add another trophy to his collection following his six-under-par 66 at Trump National Doral in Miami, Florida on Friday.
Looking comfortable with the short putter in hand, Scott – who carded eight birdies and dropped just two shots throughout day two – stormed to the top of the leaderboard with a flurry of three late birdies, starting at the 15th hole.
While Scott leads the way, McIlroy and defending champion Dustin Johnson are within striking distance at eight under through 36 holes after shooting the rounds of the day.
McIlroy was back to his free-flowing best via a second-round 65 as he powered up the standings.
The world number three opened with a birdie on the front nine and dropped the next hole, though the Northern Irishman responded with four consecutive birdies from the fifth to the eighth.
After the turn, McIlroy was blemish-free with three birdies, including the final hole.
Not to be outdone, American Johnson posted an eight-under-par 64.
Johnson was flawless throughout the round, recording eight birdies without dropping a shot, having hit a 72 on the opening day.
A stroke further back is Danny Willett, who had a three-under-par 69.
Charley Hoffman (70) and Bubba Watson (69) are tied for fifth at six under, while Paul Casey (68) and 2009 champion Phil Mickelson (72) ended the day at five under.
World number one Jordan Spieth is seven shots off the pace alongside eight others, following his 72, which included four birdies and as many bogeys.
Overnight leader Scott Piercy (77) faltered dramatically, dropping to one under at the halfway stage of the tournament.
