Chalmers Up by Three in Australian Open


Greg Chalmers fired a 5-under 66 to reach the top of the leaderboard in the Australian Open. The PGA Tour of Australasia event started Thursday at Australian Golf Club near Sydney.

Chalmers, a 41-year-old left-hander from Sydney with two wins on the American Web.com Tour, had seven birdies and two bogeys to reach 5-under 137, a stroke ahead of fellow Aussies Adam Crawford (69) and amateur Todd Sinott (67), and American Conrad Shindler (68).

Two behind are defending champion and No. 1-ranked Rory McIlroy (70) of Northern Ireland and first-round leader Jordan Spieth (72), Aussies Geoff Drakeford (70) and Brett Rumford (69).

Adam Scott got back into contention Friday. The Adelaide native followed up his opening 74 with a 66 to rise into a share of ninth at 2-under with fellow Aussies Robert Allenby, Rhein Gibson, Jake Higginbottom and Rod Pampling.

Spieth said he was just off a bit Friday. "I just didn't find the ball-striking until the last few holes and then was very fortunate to grab a few birdies," said the 21-year-old Texan, who head four bogeys and three birdies.

"I was really looking at making fours and getting in and regrouping for tomorrow. But instead I kept myself in the tournament."

For all the scores, visit http://www.ausopengolf.com/scores.