"I don't expect the rest of those guys to lay down for me. I'm usually a good player playing from the front but I've let it slip was well.

"I think I've got something to prove tomorrow."

Scott started poorly with a bogey at the second but although he recovered with back-to-back birdies from the fourth, another dropped shot at the eighth meant he was out in level par.

But a 10-foot birdie at the 10th energised the round, giving him the outright lead again which he stretched with further birdies at the 16th and 18th.

Four Americans lead the chase on five under par - Kevin Sutherland (67), Bart Bryant (67), Charley Hoffman (68) and Ryan Moore (68) all keeping themselves in touch with sub-par rounds.

Sergio Garcia is one of three players a shot further back after a round-of-the-day 65, which included a solitary bogey at the troublesome eighth hole.

It was another good day for Luke Donald, who has a solid record at the Four Seasons resort and a second successive 68 leaves him in a share of 10th on two under par.