MIAMI • Five days after clinching his 12th PGA Tour victory, red-hot Adam Scott charged into the second-round lead at the WGC-Cadillac Championship in Miami.

The Australian, who won the Honda Classic last Sunday, birdied three of his final four holes at the difficult Blue Monster course at the Trump National Doral Resort to complete a six-under 66 for a 36-hole total of 134.

He is two shots in front of fellow long hitters Rory McIlroy and Dustin Johnson.

"There is momentum and it's a huge factor," Scott told Golf Channel. "The trick is to figure out how to use it, how to maintain it and keep it going from week to week.

"So far this week, I've done a good job. The leader board looks great and the course is producing good scores. I might have to keep it going at this same pace."

The 35-year-old made eight birdies and two bogeys and said he fed off the terrific play of playing partner Johnson.

The American posted the day's low round of 64 thanks to a scorching 31 over the back nine.

"I've been playing well. I never really got out of position," he said.

World No. 3 McIlroy required only 23 putts in his second-round 65, using 10 fewer putts than he did in the first round.

The Northern Irishman altered his putting grip from conventional to left-hand low and the move worked well in the second round.

"The change is feeling very comfortable at the minute and I'm willing to stick with it," he said.

REUTERS

WGC-CADILLAC CHAMPIONSHIP
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