Friday, 21 September 2012:

Adam Scott is hoping three more rounds in the 60s can secure the "big reward" he's chasing after doggedly clawing his way into contention at the lucrative US PGA Tour Championship.

Scott recovered from a sluggish start to eke out a two-under-par 68 to be two shots behind Tiger Woods and Englishman Justin Rose after the opening round at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta.

Woods looked anything but intimidated as he powered into a share of the lead with Rose, the frontrunners one stroke ahead of Americans Scott Piercy, Bo Van Pelt, Matt Kuchar and Steve Stricker.

After claims by Australian great Greg Norman that he was now intimidated by new world No.1 Rory McIlroy, the 14-times major-winning Woods matched Rose's four-under 66.

McIlroy, playing with Woods, mustered a 69 to be tied 12th.

"As a whole, I played well today. I hit a lot of good shots. Made a few putts out there, but actually I had a couple of good up and downs, which is nice," Woods said.

"This golf course was probably gettable today. Because it was playing so hot, the ball was flying forever."

Coming in as the No.2 seed behind McIlroy in the FedEx Cup playoff series, Woods can win the Cup for a third time, including the $US10 million ($A9.58 million) bonus, if he maintains the rage.

But one of many hell bent on stopping him was Scott, the only player in the world's top 16 not to have won somewhere in 2012.

The world No.5 started poorly to be two-over after seven holes but carded four birdies from then out to get back amongst it in a tie for seventh.

"I played really lovely apart from a couple of swings on the front," Scott said.

"I was playing fine, but obviously five and six are tough, and I made a couple bad swings and made bogeys.

"But I figured I'm playing fine and I'd get my opportunities, so I got back to hitting fairways and greens and had a few chances which was nice.

"This is a tournament where four rounds in the 60s will go a long way.

"That's one and we've got three to go, and I'll be right there.

"If I keep driving like I am, I could be in good shape."

Scott has form at the venue, having won in 2006, and he also led after two rounds last year only to fade with fatigue into a tie for sixth.

"When I got here last year, I was knackered," Scott said.

"I realised most of the year is in the back end and you're mad if you're burnt out by then as there is so much to play for and I adjusted my schedule this year accordingly.

"I'm feeling good and fresh this week."

John Senden, the only other Australian in the field, wasn't at his ball-striking best and struggled to a two-over-par 72 to be tied 26th in the 30-man elite field.

Senden was one-under-par through seven holes but bogeyed three of his next five to fall off the pace.

"I just didn't play well today. I was a bit scattered on the back nine and made some crap bogeys around the turn," Senden said.

"I wasn't feeling as good as I wanted so I need to come back fresh tomorrow and go after it."

AAP