WILMINGTON, Del. – Adam Scott, the 36-hole leader of the BMW Championship, couldn’t remember the last time he held a lead on the PGA Tour.
The 42-year-old racked his brain to recall the answer, which is the 2020 Genesis Invitational when he shared the 54-hole lead and went on to claim his 14th and most recent Tour title. His last 36-hole lead? At the 2019 Masters. But Scott said back at the Rocket Mortgage Classic last month when he was in contention after 36 holes that it feels like it’s been a long time since he’s been in the winner’s circle and he reiterated that point on Friday after shooting 2-under 69 at Wilmington Country Club’s South Course to improve to 8-under 142 at the halfway point of the penultimate event of the PGA Tour season.
“That’s what I’m trying to do is win, but the competition is tough out here, and I certainly haven’t had my best stuff for quite a while,” Scott said. “It’s been a battle for sure. But that’s how this game is.”
Scott’s lead grew to three strokes during the second round after he made a birdie at the par-5 12th hole to reach double digits at 10 under. Only a double bogey at 17, where he sprayed his tee shot right and said he made a complete mess, spoiled a clean card.
“It’s a good reminder for the weekend that I’ve really got to keep it under control and don’t want to have too many get off the map and get out of position around here,” he said.
Scott played his way into the 70-man field (which was reduced to 68 after two withdrawals) at the BMW by recording a tie for fifth at last week’s FedEx St. Jude Championship and is trying to continue to work his way into the Tour Championship, which is the FedEx Cup finale next week for the top 30 in the point standings after this week. But Scott’s not obsessing over his projected rank in the playoffs – a win has him expected to rise to No. 3 – and whether he qualifies for East Lake, which would qualify him for all four majors (he’s already exempt to the Masters as a past champion). Rather, he’s focused on trying to notch his 15th Tour title and first in more than two years.
“If I do that,” he said, “I think I’ll make it.”
BMW Championship: Leaderboard | PGA Tour Live on ESPN+