Scott soars into contention with two eagles

ATLANTA, May 7 (Reuters) Australia's Adam Scott raised hopes of a first PGA Tour title in two years after charging into an early share of the third-round lead at the Wachovia Championship in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The 25-year-old from Adelaide, fuelled by a pair of eagles, rocketed to nine under par at Quail Hollow Club before losing momentum over the difficult closing stretch.

Bogeys on 14 and at the last gave Scott a six-under-par 66, and a share of sixth place at seven-under 209.

''It's just what I needed to get myself in the mix,'' the world number nine told reporters after ending a day of low scoring four strokes behind leader Jim Furyk.

''I was a long way back, so overall I'm pretty happy.'' Nine strokes off the pace at the start of the round, Scott birdied the opening hole before ending a run of five pars with an eagle at the par-five seventh.

He then picked up shots at the next three holes before bagging his second eagle at the par-four 11th, where he holed his wedge approach from 110 yards.

Remarkably, he had covered the five-hole stretch in seven under par.

''It just happened somehow,'' said Scott, who is chasing his first PGA Tour victory since the 2004 Booz Allen Classic.

''I don't know, I made the putt on 10 and it was important to birdie the par-five to keep it going.

''Then all of a sudden I hole out a shot from the fairway on 11 and I'm nine under for the tournament from nowhere really.

Funny how it works. Hopefully, it will happen again tomorrow.'' After doing well to save par at the 13th, Scott slipped back over the closing holes.

''Unfortunately I dropped a couple coming in, but I had my moments of brilliance out there, and it felt good to get it going again,'' he said.

''It's nice to get back in the hunt and play in contention.

Hopefully I can get out early tomorrow, make a couple birdies and get right in it from the get-go.'' REUTERS VJ RN0555