MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) - Adam Scott birdied five his final nine holes for a 5-under 67 and a one-stroke lead in the Australian Masters midway through the first round Thursday.

Starting on the 10th hole, Scott was even after his opening nine, but birdied four in a row on the front at Kingston Heath and added another on the seventh hole.

Peter O'Malley was among four Australians tied for second, while 2010 U.S. Open champion Graeme McDowell of Northern Ireland, playing in the same group as Scott, shot 71.

Defending champion Ian Poulter of England, who won the World Golf Championship's HSBC Champions in Shenzhen two weeks ago, birdied two of his first three holes in his afternoon round.

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