Scott challenges the professionals

Promising young Australian Adam Scott took another step toward becoming the first amateur to win a European event in 38 years when he moved into a share of second place behind leader Pedro Martinez in the Moroccan Open on Friday.

Paraguayan Martinez rallied after going into water three holes from home to card a six-under-par 66 to move to 14-under-par 130 after two rounds.

Scott, at the age of 19, is playing only his second European Tour event but he is also already on course to be the first amateur to win since the European Tour began in 1971.

His second 66 took him to 12-under-par 132 along with Spain's 1997 Ryder Cup player Ignacio Garrido. England's Ian Poulter was a further shot back.

Garrido was in even more scintillating form as he equalled the course record 64 set by Martinez the day before.

Former soccer player Martinez was happy to escape with just a bogey at the 16th, his only one of the week. "Just one mistake, one bogey in two rounds, makes me confident for the weekend," he said.

His chief rival could be 17 years his junior. Scott had six birdies, but he could have been one nearer the lead had he not three-putted the long 18th for par.

The Australian is bidding to equal the feats of three fellow-countrymen, Aaron Baddeley, Brent Rumford and Brad Lamb, who have outstripped professional fields in three Australian tour tournaments recently.

He now has chance to also equal the feat of 22-year-old Irish medical student David Sheehan who beat a strong field in 1962, which included five Ryder Cup players, to win the Jeyes tournament at Royal Dublin.

Scott shot a 63 in his first European Tour event early in the season, the Greg Norman International, before settling for 29th place, and plans to play in several more tournaments this year in Europe as a build-up to a professional career in much the same way as Spaniard Sergio Garcia did.

Scott, who dropped out of college in Las Vegas last year, is now under the careful eye of Tiger Woods' teacher Butch Harmon, who has said the Australian has similar traits to his chief charge.

"I think it's great value for amateurs playing in these professional events," said Scott.

"I haven't got a specific date in mind for turning pro, but I want to time it right for when I'm going to be comfortable with the change.

"I've talked to Sergio a lot about it and listened to what he said, because I think he timed his change to perfection."

While Scott flourished, England's great prospect as an amateur, Justin Rose, missed the cut when he managed only a 73 for 144.

Garrido collected eight birdies to equal the record, despite suffering a cold and laryngitis.

"I'm playing a lot better," said Garrido. "My long game has been good and now the putting is coming along after I got some help from a young Spanish club pro in Madrid."

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