Scott stays hot at Australian Open

SYDNEY (AP) ― Adam Scott birdied his first six holes en route to a course-record 10-under 62 at Royal Sydney on Thursday to take a three-stroke lead after the first round of the Australian Open.

Scott is attempting to join Robert Allenby as the only golfers to win all three Australian majors in the same year.

Allenby won the Australian PGA, Australian Masters and Australian Open in 2005.

Scott broke the previous Royal Sydney mark of 65 set by five players at the 2008 Australian Open.

After Scott’s opening birdie run, he made par on the next eight holes before birdieing his final four.

“The longest putt I had on those opening birdies was about 5 feet,” Scott said. “I hit a lot of quality shots right out of the blocks this morning.”

Canadian Ryan Yip shot a 65 and was in second place. David McKenzie had a 66, while two-time champion Aaron Baddeley was in a group tied for fourth at 67.

“I like to see the ball running and that’s what this course offers me,” said Yip, a regular on the Canadian Tour.

Rory McIlroy opened with a 69 in his bid for his first win of the year. He made the turn at 2-under, bogeyed 11 and 12, but had three birdies in his final seven holes, including on No. 18.