Amateur makes his mark

Amateur star Adam Scott remained on course to create a piece of history in Marrakesh. No amateur has won a tournament on the European Tour since its formation in 1972.

But the 19-year-old Australian was right in contention for an extraordinary win after consecutive rounds of 66 at Golf D'Amelkis for a 12-under-par halfway total of 132.

That set the early clubhouse target - later matched by former Ryder Cup player Ignacio Garrido of Spain. But overnight leader Pedro Martinez of Paraguay also added a 66 to his course-record 64 to take a two-shot lead on 130.

Des Smyth and David Higgins added 70s to their opening 68s to lead the Irish challenge eight shots back. Gary Murphy was two shots further back after a 71, but rounds of 72 from Peter Lawrie and Philip Walton could not repair the damage from the opening round and both missed the cut. Scott, now based in Las Vegas, is coached by Tiger Woods' coach Butch Harmon and the similarities in their swings - and talent - are already striking.

"Everybody tells me I swing like Tiger, even Butch says it," Scott admitted. "But it's not that I try to copy him.

"I've been in Tiger's company a few times and I was supposed to play with him at Butch's home course in Las Vegas last week but it didn't happen. Butch says he wimped out!"

Scott rose to prominence during the Greg Norman Holden International in March with a round of 63 and is tipped to follow in the footsteps of compatriot Aaron Baddeley who won the Australian Open recently while still an amateur.

He is certainly moving in the right circles with the Great White Shark so impressed by his display that he offered a helping hand whenever necessary.

"Greg's been great to me," he added. "I flew in his private plane with him once to a tournament and he said if there was ever anything he could do to just give him a call."

As for turning professional Scott is keen to join the paid ranks but is anxious to make sure it is a smooth transition.