MEMPHIS (Tennessee), June 9: World number four Adam Scott charged one shot clear in the weather-hit second round of the St Jude Championship on Friday.

Joint pacesetter overnight with Swede Fredrik Jacobson, Scott fired a flawless four-under-par 66 for a seven-under total of 133 at the TPC Southwind.

Helped by a 40-foot putt at the par-four seventh, the Australian reeled off four birdies in breezy morning conditions before finishing one ahead of American Brian Gay (66).

Jacobson (70) was next best at three under but 26 golfers were still out on the course when play was suspended for the day in fading light.

Of those yet to finish, Australia's Andrew Buckle was level with Gay at six under with three holes remaining.

Scott, the highest-ranked player in the field, had to wait for just over three hours to complete his last two holes after thunderstorms swept across the course.

Scott, who clinched his fifth PGA Tour title at the Houston Open in April, has produced top-six finishes in his last two starts.

Asked how he coped with the long weather delay, he replied: “I sat in the player's lounge and talked a lot of junk with the other guys.

“It's never ideal but something you have to get used to because we seem to do it a lot on Tour. You just have to learn to relax and take it for what it is, try to come out with a fresh mind.”

Twice winner David Toms returned a 68 to climb into a five-way tie at two under, level with fellow Americans Duffy Waldorf (69), Woody Austin (66) and Scott Verplank (69), plus Britain's Brian Davis (68).

The cut was projected to fall at four-over 144 with US Open champion Geoff Ogilvy and Ireland's Padraig Harrington among those almost certain to miss out.—Reuters