Rookie Holman shares the lead with Scott

Young Victorian rookie set for a dream pairing with Adam Scott.

Nathan Holman is playing only his fifth golf tournament as a professional and he will be paired with Masters champion Adam Scott for tomorrow’s third round as joint leader of the 2013 Australian Masters.

The 22-year-old rookie from Woodlands Golf Club in Melbourne is familiar with the Royal Melbourne layout and produced the equal best score of the day. His 6-under par round of 65 included seven birdies and an eagle to grab a share of the lead.

Holman has settled into professional golf with ease and finished in a tie for 14th place at last week’s Australian PGA Championship. Tomorrow’s round will easily be the biggest of his short career but Holman is looking to face the challenge with confidence.

“I mean, probably there will be nerves but, you know, I am ready to accept the challenge and I would love to be able to play with him and try and go head to head with him and hopefully it is on Sunday.” Holman said.

The score was only matched by Matthew Griffin’s bogey-free round 65 and finds himself just a shot behind Holman and Scott.

Maenwhile, world number eight Matt Kuchar is quietly setting himself up for a shot at the gold jacket.

The incredibly likeable American made four consecutive birdies in his opening four holes to shoot up the leaderboard, needing just 29 shots to get around the front nine at Royal Melbourne. Kuchar cooled towards the end of his round but he lurks just four shots behind the leaders.

“I got off with about four straight birdies and six under the front nine for 29 was really good,” Kuchar said.

“Then I slowed down a little bit to one over on the back but still feel like playing pretty good conditions. It weren’t that easy to shoot.”

After an eventful morning, Adam Scott set about reeling in the leaders by making birdie on his opening three holes. He carded a bogey-free round 66 hitting 17-of-18 greens.

The Herald-Sun’s Mark Hayes pointed out an amazing statistic on Twitter which contrasted the rounds of Scott and Holman.

One last stat from #RoyalMelbourne — @nholman37 had 23 putts today in his 65. Adam Scott had 32 in his 66. #mindbending

— Mark Hayes (@HayesyHeraldSun) November 15, 2013