Scott (66) on a song in Shanghai

Adam Scott looks at a putt on the way to 66 in Shanghai. Image: Getty

Adam Scott went to China this week to discuss his chances of winning, and immediately placed himself in the frame in the HSBC Champions in Shanghai.

Scott & # 39; s revival in the last 12 months is clear – he is back as Australia's best player and number 16 in the world – but for all that, it has not brought any profit.

His last win was in the Cadillac championship in March 2016, and it bothered him.

Seven birds and a lonely bogey at Sheshan International gave him an opening 66 and left him in third place, just two shots of the lead, owned by the Chinese Haotong Li.

The scoreboard had a taste that international team captain Ernie Els would have pleased before next month's Presidential Cup. Li and Scott will both be in Royal Melbourne and therefore probably Sungjae Im (66) in South Korea.

Scott said driving a car this week was expensive. "It's tough when you're not on the fairway," he said. "The rough one is really dirty this year and it is sturdier than I remember. You really have to be on the fairway to give yourself a look."

The Australian said he had been working on his swing because "I have not had a good feeling about where the club is in a downswing".

Of the other Australians, Matthew Millar also enjoyed a good day, shooting 69, and Jake McLeod had a 70 along with Cameron Smith.

Meanwhile, Queenslander John Senden bounced in the Bermuda Championship after three consecutive missed cuts and shot a 65 to be in the mix.