Date: December 01, 2013
Author: Martin Blake At Royal Sydney

2.30pm update: Momentum swings to McIlroy

A brilliant eagle at the par-five seventh hole has launched Rory McIlroy&aposs bid to overhaul Adam Scott in the Emirates Australian Open and ruin the Australian&aposs quest for the triple crown. The Northern Irishman hit a pure iron shot inside three metres at the 512-metre hole and nailed the putt. When Scott stepped up and missed his birdie putt from two metres, McIlroy had moved within one shot. The Emirates Australian Open appears certain to go down to the wire. McIlroy followed it up with a birdie three at the par-four eight hole and tied the lead with Scott. The world No. 6 was four-under par through eight holes compared to Scott&aposs even-par. Scott&aposs day began badly with a bogey at the first, after his shot from the front bunker went off the back of the green and into a swale. The Queenslander could not find any momentum.