Scott enjoys his freedom to take control at the BMW Championship

LOS ANGELES (AFP) – Australian Adam Scott turned back the clock when he shot a superb 9-under-par 63 on Friday to take a three-shot lead in the BMW Championship, the second event of the FedEx Cup playoffs.

The 44-year-old made his PGA Tour debut at Castle Pines Golf Club 24 years ago, beginning a career that has seen him win 14 Tour titles, but none in the last four years.

But the 2013 Masters winner equaled the course record with his bogey-free round and catapulted himself to the top.

“It's been a long time. I can't remember the last time I shot a 63 here,” said Scott, who is 13 strokes under par for the tournament.

“But it feels good to sink so low that I still have that in me. Hopefully there will be another one this week,” he added.

By finishing in the top 50 in the FedEx Cup standings, Scott was not only assured of competing this week, but also of securing spots in the tour's elite signature events next season.

The Australian only made it into the top 50 thanks to a 67 in the final round of the St. Jude Championship last Sunday, but with that pressure off, he says he is playing with freedom.