Scott was the first round leader after a spectacular round of 64 on Thursday, with the Australian continuing the good work on Friday with a 67 which means he sits at 9-under and just one off the lead going into the weekend.
The 32-year-old was a 40/1 chance before the tournament started, although he is now a best price 3/1 (William Hill free £25 bet) to claim his first ever major success and he looks to have the right temperament to go close.
Even so, it is Snedeker who is the outright leader after a superlative 64 on Friday which means the American is 10-under at the halfway stage, with the 31-year-old surely the player that every bookie is cheering on considering that few could have backed him for the Open.
Snedeker is on offer at 9/2 (BetVictor bookmaker) to claim his maiden major although neither he or Scott will love the fact that Tiger Woods is breathing down their necks and the three-time Open champion chipping in at the 18th hole on Friday means he sits at six-under.
Two rounds of 67 have been comfortably achieved, with the 14-time major winner adopting a course management strategy which has seen him use many an iron off the tee rather than hitting driver on too many occasions.
The bookmakers are clearly fearful of the Tiger and go 3/1 (Coral) that he is lifting the Claret Jug on Sunday, although there are plenty of others in with a lively chance and that includes Graeme McDowell who is among five players on four-under.
G-Mac has never really been in contention for an Open Championship despite growing up playing on links courses although a decent 69 followed up a first round of 67 and he is the man that most firms expect to challenge the leading trio at odds of 16/1.
Jason Dufner managed a bogey-free round of 66 on Friday to move into joint-fourth and the American seems to be featuring on the leaderboard at every major at the moment, with odds of 20/1 now available.
Perhaps there are only a handful of players that can win despite 36 holes left to play, although a lot can still change thanks to potentially windy conditions on Sunday which could make life tough at Royal Lytham St Anne’s.
Wily old campaigner Ernie Els is on three-under and can be backed at 33/1 to claim victory, while Luke Donald is a shot further behind and all might not be lost for someone still looking for a first major.
Posted: 20/07/12