AUSTRALIAN Adam Scott proved he has fully recovered from a worrying finger injury by moving into contention at the Open.
A level-par 70 left him one stroke off the lead as the world No.4 launched another bid for a first major title.
The 27-year-old Adelaide native jammed a little finger in a car door while taking a break in London during his build-up to last month's
US Open where he managed to share 26th spot before he again took time off for his finger to heal.
Battling strong winds and intermittent rain at Royal Birkdale, Scott led the tournament with three holes to go before slipping one shot off the overnight lead.
Scott was unfazed by his disappointing finish, however.
"I felt good, I think the tough conditions were good for me," he said.
"The afternoon was a lot easier than the morning, but it was tough anyway.
"I'd felt my ball striking wasn't 100 per cent, my swing wasn't 100 per cent and then it's more about picking out a way to get it round. That's what I did and my swing came around and I hit a lot of shots I was pleased with.
"When I woke up, I decided it was one of those days when you had to grind rather than one of those days where you have to go out and hit it pure and make a lot of birdies.
"It's a tough course on a perfect day, never mind a day like yesterday."
Taking time off before playing last week's Scottish Open and then taking on the challenge of Birkdale ensured he would not be troubled by his finger problem, Scott said.
"The injury didn't affect my preparation for this week at all," he added.
"I took two weeks off after the US Open. I figured it would be best to do that to let it heal completely."
The full article contains 328 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
