McIlroy, Scott and Spieth poised for weekend battle at Aussie Open

At The Australian Golf Club, an Australian leads the Emirates Australian Open. However, through two rounds, an Ulsterman, American and the world’s top-ranked Aussie are in contention for the second leg of the nation’s Triple Crown.

Two-time Aussie Open winner Greg Chalmers leads the way after shooting course-record-tying 5-under 66 on Day 2, taking a one-shot lead on the same mark over three players, including world No. 1 Rory McIlroy, Aussie amateur Todd Sinnott, Adam Crawford and American Conrad Shindler.

First-round leader Jordan Spieth is another shot behind a 3 under through 36 holes, making birdies on his final two holes of the round to go from 3 over to 1 over.

Another shot behind Spieth is Adam Scott, who set the new Australian course record earlier in the day with 66 to overcome a sluggish first round and join countrymen Rod Pampling and Robet Allenby, among others, in a tie for ninth place.

Aussie Masters winner Nick Cullen is five back of the lead on even-par 142.

The challenge for the weekend will be trying to figure out the putting surfaces redesigned by Jack Nicklaus. With just 16 players under par at the halfway mark, they’re clearly tricking the players, including Scott.

“I’ve hit a lot of wedge shots that have been a little mis-struck and then spinning off the greens,” Scott said. “I guess that’s got to do with the pin positions as well. So getting it very close to the hole is not that easy. I think the greens have to be the defense because there is no rough.”

Ryan Ballengee is a Yahoo Sports contributor. Find him on Facebook and Twitter.

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