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Shanghai - Australia's former world number one Adam Scott had a smile back on his face on Saturday with a stunning eight-under par 64 at the WGC-HSBC Champions in Shanghai after carding a disastrous 80 in the second round.
Scott turned his week on its head by taking 16 shots fewer on Saturday than the day before to propel himself remarkably within striking distance of the top 10 in the $9.5 million dollar event dubbed "Asia's Major".
The affable Aussie was at a loss to explain how he could follow the worst round of his year with the best.
"I couldn't do anything right and nothing felt good at all yesterday. I felt hopeless out there," admitted the 36-year-old world number six after Saturday's exploits.
"And today, I just tried to salvage something and it was one of my great rounds this year."
It was hard for Scott - or anybody watching - to fathom how he managed to blow his second round so spectacularly after a fine first round 69, only to follow that by equalling the low round of the week at Sheshan International Golf Club.
"I don't really know," he told AFP after his round. "I just played and started hitting a few good shots, and then made the turn in four-under and kept hitting good shots.
"And then I made a couple putts and all of a sudden I was having a really great round. Managed to get it in with 64. It's just a wonderful game, golf."
His flawless round containing eight birdies to put him into a share of 26th place after starting the day languishing in 61st place in the 78-player field.
Although at three-under par for the tournament he is too far adrift of leader Hideki Matsuyama's 17-under par score to think about winning, Scott is eyeing another score in the mid-60s on Sunday and an unlikely top-10 finish.
"I'm very pleased with 64, obviously. One more would be fun," he said.
"Yeah, I think it would be amazing to finish in the top 10 with an 80 in there."
