SYDNEY — Adam Scott shot a 5-under 67 yesterday to take a two-stroke lead into the final round of the Australian Open.

Scott had trailed second-round leader Stuart Appleby by two strokes after completing his second round yesterday morning — a 6-under 66 — due to a wind suspension Friday. Scott took the lead after four holes in the third round over Appleby, who shot a 71.

Scott had a 15-under 201 on the oceanside links-style New South Wales Golf Club. Australian Nick O'Hern was third following a 71, seven strokes behind Scott at 208.

Australian James Nitties was fourth after a 70, eight strokes back. American David Oh (69) and Australian Scott Strange (68) were tied for fifth, nine strokes behind Scott.

American John Daly shot 78, moving from a tie for 10th after the second round to a tie for 36th. His second-round 69, completed yesterday morning, enabled him to make the cut — something he hadn't achieved in all three Australian tournaments he played in last year: the Open, PGA and Masters.

Scott has never won a professional tournament in his native Australia.

"It's there for me with a good round tomorrow," Scott said after birdies on his final two holes. "For an Aussie it's like the next major in a sense. It'd mean a lot to me at any point but it'd be great coming off a pretty ordinary year. If I had the chance to win I'd certainly savor it for a while."

ELSEWHERE

LPGA Q-School rained out: Due to the overnight rain and the conditions of the courses, the third round of the LPGA Final Qualifying Tournament at Daytona Beach, Fla., was postponed yesterday. Play at both the Legends and Champions Courses at LPGA International will start this morning, followed by the fourth round in the 90-hole tournament.

Too dark for PGA Q-School: Only five players were able to complete their rounds when play at the PGA Q-School at West Palm Beach, Fla. was suspended by darkness. Fourth-round play in the 108-hole event at the Bear Lakes Country Club's Lakes and Links Courses will resume this morning with 161 players.

Chevron World Challenge: Graeme McDowell, who replaced tournament host Tiger Woods in the field, fired a 6-under 66 that put him in a tie for the lead with PGA champion Y.E. Yang (71) in the $5.75 million Chevron World Challenge at Thousand Oaks, Calif. They were at 10-under 206, one shot ahead of Padraig Harrington (70) and Lee Westwood (69).