Saturday, 17 August 2019:

ADAM SCOTT

A frustrated Adam Scott has bemoaned a sloppy back nine which left him six shots behind red-hot Hideki Matsuyama, heading into the weekend rounds at the BMW Championship.

Matsuyama made a mockery of Medinah Country Club's course record, with his nine-under-par 63 beating the previous number by two shots.

The sizzling round sent the Japanese star to the top of the leaderboard at 12-under after two rounds.

Gifted ball-striker Matsuyama is without a win in two years after winning four US PGA Tour events between 2016 and 2017, including two World Golf Championship titles.

"It's been a long time since I've been in contention," Matsuyama said. "Hopefully I can play well. I've been struggling for a while this year (and) I need to turn around and have a good weekend."

Americans Patrick Cantlay (67) and Tony Finau (66) are Matsuyama's nearest chasers at 11-under, while Justin Thomas (69) is a shot further behind.

Former world No.1, Australian Scott picked up two front-nine birdies as he began to reel in Matsuyama.

But he missed a four-foot birdie putt at the 10th and a 10-foot birdie at the 11th and never recovered, bogeying the 16th.

Scott said his six-shot deficit would be difficult to make up with soft, wet conditions ripe for Matsuyama to increase his lead.

"No good," Scott told AAP of his position on the leaderboard.

"I was going good until I missed short putts on 10 and 11, and then it was hard work coming in.

"I played good for 11 holes and average. I just have to play better."

Scott's fellow Queenslander Jason Day improved his score by one with a 71 taking him to three under.

Day needs to finish at least tied for fourth at the BMW to move into the top 30, who advance to next week's Tour Championship finale.

Leishman and Scott are already qualified, but Day is in danger of missing the Tour Championship for the first time since 2012.

Day sits one shot ahead of 15-time major winner Tiger Woods, who also shot 71 to sit two under for the week.

Rounding out the Australian contingent is Marc Leishman (71), who sits one-under.

AAP