Scott, Durant share early lead in third round at East Lake

ATLANTA, Nov 4 (Reuters) Australian Adam Scott, bidding for his first PGA Tour victory of the year, today retained a share of the lead midway through the Tour Championship third round.

Joint pacesetter overnight with American Joe Durant, Scott struck a superb approach to within three feet of the flag at the par-four first to set up an opening birdie.

The 26-year-old then parred the next eight holes to reach the turn at five under overall in crisp, bright conditions at East Lake Golf Club.

Durant, who initially fell back after bogeying the par-four third, recovered with birdies at the eighth and ninth to rejoin Scott at the top of the leaderboard.

Scott is desperate to return to the winner's circle in the US after a season of several close calls.

The world number four has produced seven top-four finishes in 18 PGA Tour starts, including three runners-up spots.

''You look at how Tiger (Woods) closes out the deal when he's in contention, and that is something that I need to look at,'' Scott told reporters after shooting a 67 in yesterday's second round.

''I had two or three really good chances this year to do that, and I didn't get it done. That was disappointing, but that's something a young player needs to learn.'' THIRD PLACE Retief Goosen, the 2004 champion, was alone in third place at three under after 10 holes with 2002 winner Vijay Singh and American Tom Pernice junior a further stroke back in a tie for fourth. Singh and Pernice had both completed 13 holes.

Ernie Els, who booked his place in the elite 27-man field by tying for sixth at last week's Chrysler Championship in Tampa, Florida, was on track for the best round of the day.

The big South African birdied five of the first 12 holes, sinking a 28-footer at the par-four 10th, to climb into a tie for sixth place at two under with Briton Luke Donald.

Donald was one under for the day after 11 holes.

American Ben Curtis, surprise winner of the 2003 British Open at Royal St. George's, carded a four-under-par 66 to hold the clubhouse lead at six-over 216.

The season-ending Tour Championship brings together the top 30 money winners on the PGA Tour, although world number one Tiger Woods, third-ranked Phil Mickelson and Canada's Stephen Aimes are absent from this year's event.

Reuters SBA VP0308