Fowler leads but Super Scott looms

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IN the most modest way, Adam Scott was in awe of himself yesterday. He boomed four fairway-splitting drives of such length mid-round that you imagined he was flexing Superman's biceps.

The king of Augusta was a mild-mannered golfer making five straight pars yesterday before he must have slipped into his green Masters cloak behind a gum tree at Royal Pines on the Gold Coast.

In a blur, three straight birdies ignited the chase for runaway American leader Rickie Fowler (63) and guaranteed the Australian PGA would get the dream duel at the top of the leaderboard that the tournament had counted on.

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More than that, those blasts with the driver on the 6th to 9th holes all bounded over 300m and put a jaw-dropping vibe through a mesmerised gallery that swelled to over 1500 fans at times.

On the 10th, his with-the-wind curling strike over the water carried 320m while leftie Richard Green was 100m back down the fairway having played more conservatively off the tee.

When the world No.2 stroked in his sixth birdie of the day from 2m on the last under perfect blue skies it elevated him to a six-under-par 65, in second spot with Gold Coaster Matthew Ballard and Victorian David McKenzie.

Golf star Adam Scott will be honoured today when he is given the keys to the city by the Gold Coast mayor.

There was a hint of Greg Norman in his pomp when Scott analysed a round he called "just plugging away" but for the moments he ripped his one wood.

"It was a bit of a driving display. The driving was basically flawless and the best I've driven the ball since the (British) Open in July," Scott said.

"I was solid elsewhere, not the most exciting round ... just plugging away and playing fairly safe to greens that firm. It all added up (on the scorecard) pretty well."

To fans watching, he did it so effortlessly with barely a hiccup except for his too cute chip slip-up on the 10th when a birdie beckoned after another prodigious drive.

He chastised himself so the steely edge was definitely there beneath the surface of a round he had to play amidst constant adulation.

"It's not hard to enjoy people applauding you," Scott said with a grin.

But that's the conundrum Scott has had to sort through since the Masters - how to stay in that controlled aggressive state on course when everyone is cuddling you with goodwill from the gallery.

It was as if a backslapping convention had booked out the RACV Royal Pines resort on the Gold Coast for the warmest of receptions to a returning golfer to Queensland since the Norman days.

One kid offered a high five off the green. Scott obliged of course. "Well done Adam" rang out warmly again and again to acknowledge Augusta glory seven months ago.

"I've played a lot of weeks in America where it was very similar with people congratulating me the whole way around the course for what happened at the Masters," Scott said.

"I've had to get used to that a little bit. I want the people to enjoy it but I've still got to remain focussed and I think I've done a pretty good job. I enjoy giving a kid a high five. That's just all good fun.

"I'm enjoying every minute of playing at home."

It steps again today. It's Green Day with every fan urged to wear green to honour Scott's drought-breaker at the Masters. Hats, shirts ... deck yourself out.

You see so many bland American pros, it's a delight to watch Fowler interract with his young fan base, sign any piece of clothing thrust his way and really "get" what growing the game is all about.

He's no private school product. He's a dirt-biking kid who grew up to play even better golf as his eight birdie blitz showed in his controlled 63.

He gets it too because when news broke last year of Aussie golfing mate Jarrod Lyle's second leukaemia battle, he inked "JL" on his caps, sent cards of support and thought deeply about an issue bigger than golf.

Scott and Fowler going birdie for birdie on the weekend deserves to stir a 15,000-strong throng of fans marching the fairways. You don't sense the Scott aura as fully when you just watch on TV. This is live sport worth watching up close.

Pre-tournament, Scott said the pressure of never having won a big Australian tournament was a monkey off his shoulders since his 2009 Australian Open and 2012 Talisker Masters victories.

This was a different yet significant pressure. Forget the other 154 players in the field. Everyone had come to see a glimpse of Australia's champion. He knew it too which might have explained his nerves on the first tee in his homecoming event.

"I was pretty nervous on that first tee. I haven't been that nervous for a long while," Scott said.

"No matter how little pressure you put on yourself you want to play well, you want to perform in front of family and friends. You're a competitor."

Royal Pines is not Royal Melbourne or Royal Sydney. It is a resort course of wide avenues between the trees.

Fowler, the world No.43, surged home with a six-under 29 on the back nine climaxed by a chip-in birdie on his final hole, the tough 460m par four ninth where Ballard and McKenzie, the evergreen 46-year-old, bogeyed.

Fowler's round is the new course record in the par 71 layout for the course.

McKenzie is on a roll he hopes can continue. He won a VW Golf car for a hole in one at the recent Perth International and lucked into a Melbourne Cup quinella on Tuesday that paid wife Mai Roberge a tidy $600 for a $3 outlay.

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Nissan season a $5 million waste

Rick and Todd Kelly with the Jack Daniels Racing Nissan Altima that will compete in the V8 Supercars competition. Source: Supplied

NISSAN have written off their debut V8 Supercars season as a $5 million waste with a botched aerodynamics test ruining their history making year.

The powerful Japanese manufacturer has demanded a new test on their aerodynamics package with drivers claiming the cars feel as if they are being held back by a parachute.

Privately they call their Nissan V8 a flying fridge.

The Daily Telegraph can reveal Nissan global motorsport boss Darren Cox fronted V8 Supercars CEO James Warburton and was given the go-ahead to redesign the car in a move that will see Kelly Brothers Racing hit the grid with four new look Nissan Altimas next year.

New V8 Supercars commissioner Steve Horne admitted to Cox the aerodynamics test run on the Nissans before their landmark re-entry to the sport was not up to scratch and agreed to retest the cars with state of the art computer software as well as include them in all the testing that the new Volvo will undertake ahead of its entry into the sport.

Nissan have been on the warpath since learning the aero package on their car was to blame for their poor performance - not the engine as previously thought.

The team suspected their aero package - which determines how much drag the car is held back by and which influences speed - was inferior to the mainstay Holdens and Fords. It was confirmed beyond doubt at Bathurst when the car dramatically bogged down at speeds above 220km/h.

"We were down on engine speed and straight line speed at the beginning of the year,'' said Kelly Brothers racing co-owner and driver Rick Kelly.

"We suspected the engine was to blame for both. As we improved the engine the straight line speed was still down. At Bathurst we were 10km/h off the rest of the field.

"We knew it was an aero problem then and while frustrating, it is great that we know what is wrong and have been given permission to do something about it.''

The data gathered by the team has convinced V8 Supercars to conduct new tests which will see the manufacturer enter next year's series with a superior model car.

Kelly Brothers Racing were forced to add drag to their car before the beginning of the season with the Altima described as a "slippery'' car with a formidable aero package.

Todd Kelly wanted the sport to conduct their aero testing at a two car wind tunnel in the US.

The sport declined and instead tested the cars on a drag-strip, pushing the cars to top speed before turning them off and looking at how far they rolled.

Many have been critical of the low-tech test, which was also conducted on a windy day.

Nissan are pleased with the response from the sport's governing body and will fly in an aerodynamics guru of Le Mans fame to help them redesign their aerodynamic package.

Ben Bowlby, who designed the famous Delta wing, will fly into Australia to oversee the testing and design.

Nissan representatives have privately declared the season a $5 million waste because of the bungle.

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Hunt price tag no issue for Titans

Gold Coast Suns training at Metricon Stadium, Carrara - Karmichael Hunt Source: News Limited

KARMICHAEL Hunt's million dollar price tag is not the major stumbling block for the Titans in their bid to lure the high profile code-hopper back to the NRL.

Rather, it is their own powerbroker Michael Searle.

Hunt has not forgotten Searle's stunning attack back in 2009 when he described the former Broncos' code switch as "desperate", a "circus" and "destined to fail", and Hunt "a gun for hire, a mercenary''.

Searle also said the move to make Hunt the Suns' first signing had the potential to be the ''most expensive media stunt in the history of sport''.

Now, new Titans CEO Graham Annesley says Hunt's profile is a major reason behind their interest.

Gold Coast Titans and Gold coast Suns at a one-off training session where the clubs traded tips on defence and ball skills. Karmichael Hunt and Nate Myles catch up. Pic Glenn Hampson Source: News Limited

"Karmichael is a huge star anywhere in Queensland and in southeast Queensland in particular because of what he has done in the AFL,'' he said.

Hunt, typically, was unfussed by yesterday's report of the Titans' interest.

"I haven't bought into it,'' he said.

"I'm just getting my head around leaving for Arizona for our training camp on Sunday."

Hunt's price tag may not be a major issue.

The AFL supplement a major portion of his $1m salary and there are no guarantees they will continue the arrangement beyond this year.

It means any potential bidding war could be fought on a level playing field.

When reports of another potential code switch started to surface, Gold Coast AFL football manager Marcus Ashcroft and list manager Scott Clayton sat him down for a heart-to-heart.

The message was "We'd love you to stay but will respect any decision you make."

GC Suns players Karmichael Hunt and Gary Ablett. Source: News Limited

Hunt insisted he was 100 per cent committed to the Suns and promised them he would be with the club in 2014.

He kept that promise and on Sunday leaves for Arizona to begin another pre-season.

But it hasn't stopped the suitors.

Hunt has been linked to the Titans, Broncos and most recently former coach Wayne Bennett's Knights.

Suns CEO Travis Auld yesterday described Hunt as a required and valued member of the club.

"Injuries were a real source of frustration for Karmichael last year, but he has continually shown that he is an elite and very determined athlete and we are certainly confident that he will again make a significant on field contribution next season,'' he said.

"Karmichael has achieved so much in our game and we still believe he has plenty to offer."

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I'd play again for $1: Menzies

Steve Menzies retired Manly great at Manly Beach,Manly.Picture Gregg Porteous Source: Gregg Porteous / News Limited

LOOK who is back in Manly - and ready to wear the famous maroon and white again.

After five years playing in England and France, the great Steve 'Beaver' Menzies - who left Manly in such glorious style after the 2008 grand final - has resettled back on Sydney's northern beaches.

But has he actually retired?

Menzies, who turns 40 next month, revealed he would play again for Manly next season on a $1 contract if asked.

"A dollar's a dollar, so you've got to take the cash,'' he said. ''I think I would, just to do it.

"I'm getting a bit old and slow but if something happens and Manly asked me, how could I refuse?

"I'd have to sign it and see what happens. That would be good but also scary at the same time.

"If something happened and they said: 'look, you're the last resort - we need you' then for Manly I would do that for sure.

"If the scenario was right and it was needed by the club then I'd help them out.''

The Daily Telegraph caught up with Menzies this week to discuss the past, the future and who are the greatest players he confronted and played alongside.

Grand Final 2008, Manly Sea Eagles skipper Steve Menzies. Source: News Limited

THE LEGACY

Menzies played a staggering 529 games for Manly, Australia in tour matches, Kangaroo Tests, City Origin, NSW, Northern Eagles, Bradford, Catalans and the Exiles.

''I can't complain - I've had a good run,'' he said.

''To grow up a Manly supporter and play for them for years and years, to make rugby league your career, to go overseas and experience the things I have with my family … I have been so lucky.

''To be able to play a game that is such a passionate sport around here … some of the great players I have got to play with. The combination with Cliffy Lyons kickstarted my career.

''There have been sacrifices but I just ran out there and played footy.

''But when the footy starts again and everyone is training and playing and I am sitting there with my shovel, digging trenches and things like that, then it will sink in that I have retired.''

Steve Menzies with wife Suyin after the 2008 NRL Grand Final. Source: News Limited

TH E FUTURE

He will start his life once again in the Manly area and be employed as a Sea Eagles ambassador.

''It will be great to be back down with the boys and be involved in different aspects of the business. I will be doing things game day and drumming up support for the Silvertails,'' he said.

''I also have a few other business interests that will be happening soon.

''I have got plenty of things to do - I was hoping to just come back and play golf but work is getting in the way!''

Asked would he one-day coach, Menzies said: "Just because you played for a long time doesn't mean you would be a good coach.

''I think I have a few things to offer but maybe not as a head coach. A lot more goes into coaching than just turning up and giving the boys a game plan.''

Steve Menzies salutes the loyal crowd. Source: News Limited

THE MEMORY

He achieved everything after debuting for Manly as a 19-year-old on June 26, 1993.

But one memory stands above the rest - his final game for Manly, a famous 40-0 grand final win over Melbourne.

''Definitely my last memory at Manly is my greatest,'' he said.

''Winning the 2008 grand final by 40-0. The way I came on and scored a late try, farewelling the club I have loved since I was five-years old when I used to go down to Brookvale Oval.

''I couldn't ask for much more. To leave the club that way, it was as good as it gets.

''We also won a grand final in 1996 with a great bunch of guys. It was a quality team. We played three grand finals in a row.''

Manly legend Cliff Lyons at Cromer Park. Source: News Limited

GREATEST TEAM-MATE

''Cliff Lyons. He was just so naturally talented. He never once sold me a dump,'' he said.

''We never organised things. I have run off some great players but Cliffy would always find me. But if an opponent read it and it wasn't on, Cliffy wouldn't pass it to me. He was as good as it gets.''

Andrew Johns gets pass away. Source: News Limited

GREATEST OPPONENT

''Andrew Johns. Just such a competitor. He was so good,'' he said.

''He could do everything in rugby league - he could run, kick, step, pass, tackle, pop a pass, control the game. I have seen some things in Origin camps - you know why he is so good. He was unbelievable.''

Former Manly captain Geoff Toovey (L) and coach Bob Fulton. Source: News Limited

TOUGHEST OPPONENT

''Geoff Toovey, pound for pound, was the toughest player I have ever seen,'' he said. ''Every week the big blokes would pick him out and he would pick them up and dump them.

''He would get bashed and knocked around. He was so tough.''

Steve Menzies beats the grasping tackle of Karmichael Hunt to score. Source: News Limited

THE CULTURE

Since he left Manly has made two grand finals, won one, saw coach Des Hasler quit, have several CEOs come and go and a board that is constantly split.

''It's been a rocky road,'' Menzies said. ''It's been tough but it really has been a golden era for Manly. The grand finals they have played, the grand finals they have won.

''The past five, six, seven years has been such a good period. It's been unbelievable for the club.

'''Tooves' as a player was the toughest guy I played with or against so his coaching success doesn't surprise me. He is so passionate. He know how to convey his messages through that passion.''

St Helens James Roby is tackled by Steve Menzies. Source: AAP

THE FRENCH

Menzies played 71 games in France between 2011 and 2013.

''You want my answer in French or English?'' Menzies said. ''I don't have that much French actually. It was just a great experience. England was also great, two years at Bradford.

''Then I got a call from (now Roosters coach) Trent Robinson and he asked whether I would like to go Catalans.

''Two weeks later the deal was done and off we went. It is such a great part of the world. My daughter is five and she is pretty much fluent in French.

''It was great to be immersed in that culture and the people we met. Everything closes from 12 til 2pm - they have their siesta. None of the shops are open. They work just to live. They don't work to conquer the world. Some of the things you see - you scratch your head, only in France.''

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Broncos won't quit on Yow Yeh

Brisbane Broncos winger Jharal Yow Yeh holds his knee. Source: News Limited

BRONCOS coach Anthony Griffin says the club is refusing to give up on Jharal Yow Yeh despite the Maroons ace having undergone his 10th operation in 19 months.

Yow Yeh had minor knee surgery a fortnight ago, the latest in a slew of operations, most of which focused on rebuilding the right ankle he shattered in March last year.

But Griffin downplayed concerns over Yow Yeh, labelling the operation a "grease-and-oil" change on a left-knee ailment unrelated to his career-threatening ankle injury.

Fears over Yow Yeh's long-term future intensified last month when the Broncos moved to bolster their backline options by signing threequarters Stewart Mills and Daniel Vidot.

Griffin cannot guarantee the former Test winger will play NRL next season, but says Yow Yeh has recovered mentally from an injury rated the worst on a football field in 33 years.

NRL match South Sydney Rabbitohs v Brisbane Broncos at NIB Stadium, Perth, Western Australia. Pictured is Jharal Yow Yeh of the Broncos injured with a fractured lower leg Source: News Limited

"Jharal has had a little clean out in the knee, it was a grease-and-oil change," Griffin said.

"He has started the pre-season doing some running.

"He's got his sights set on trying to play (NRL) and that's where we are with him trying to get him to that point.

"I don't know when he will be back. As I've always said it's a unique injury and he is progressing well. He had seven or eight games of state league (Queensland Cup) last year so we need to keep working with him, take it slowly and see where he goes.

"Physically it is the hardest thing for him. Mentally he has more than recovered, just the way he looks on life and trying to help people around him.

"He was our clubman of the year this year, I just have an enormous amount of respect for him, the way he has fought back.

Jharal Yow Yeh of the Kangaroos during the ARL ANZAC Test Match between the Australian Kangaroos and the New Zealand Kiwis at Skilled Park on May 6, 2011. Source: Supplied

"We are trying to do everything to get his NRL career going again." Yow Yeh has not appeared in the NRL since March 2012, when he suffered a shocking compound fracture of his ankle during a game against South Sydney in Perth.

Broncos centre Justin Hodges was positioned beside Yow Yeh when his ankle collapsed. He is now playing a mentoring role for Yow Yeh, urging him not to get lazy in his rehab as Hodges himself recovers from a ruptured Achilles.

Yow Yeh, who turns 24 in December, is targeting a round-one return in 2014 but is pragmatic enough to accept his comeback could be delayed.

"The rehab does continue, it's going to be a long one," he told the Broncos website.

"It won't be easy but I'm up for the challenge.

"I'm pretty stubborn so hopefully come round one in 2014 I have that Broncos jersey on and I'm running onto Suncorp.

Indigenous All Stars final training run at Skilled Park, Robina. Jharal Yow Yeh Source: News Limited

"It has taken a lot longer than we thought but the Broncos have stuck by me and I'm confident I should be alright for next year.

"I think back to the good times I had playing footy and the hard work I put in to get where I am now.

"I won't give up that easy. Next year will be my seventh year at the club, I'm passionate about the jersey.

"Hopefully I will be back."

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Titanic concern over player trade

Graham Annesley, the new chief executive of the Titans. Source: Adam Head / News Limited

TITANS boss Graham Annesley has expressed concerns about a transfer window as momentum gathers for the ARL Commission to introduce a mid-season trading period.

NRL operations chief Jim Doyle is presiding over a sweeping salary cap probe, with some NRL stakeholders throwing their support behind a transfer window next season.

Under the proposal, clubs would be able to trade players for a nominated period after round six. It is a concept used in the English Premier League, which has two trading windows, including mid-season from December 31 to January 31.

The Rugby League Players Association sees merit in a transfer window, but Annesley is wary of a system that could be open to exploitation.

Graham Annesley, the new chief executive of the Titans. Source: News Limited

Annesley was the NRL's chief operating officer in 2006 when the code scrapped the June 30 anti-tampering rule amid claims clubs were secretly breaching the system.

"I would have to be convinced,'' Annesley said. "Based on what used to happen around the June 30 rule and the claims of tampering, the biggest problem with that mid-season stuff is it distracts from what we are doing on a week-to-week basis on the field.

"You want the focus to be on the games each week, not what is happening off the field.

"The suggestion is around trying to make it more transparent and crunching it down to a limited period of time. I'd have to see exactly what is proposed and what the implications of it might be.''

Luke Bailey and Dave Taylor hug after the match.. Source: News Limited

Broncos legend Darren Lockyer believes a two-week transfer window before the State of Origin season could work, but Annesley says the system may be unpalatable to fans.

"It is hard to police and that's why it was changed last time,'' he said. "There is no easy solution. Fans don't like to see players changing clubs mid-season but the players also have a right to have some certainty over their future.

"It is a delicate balance and the players association will have a view on it as well.

"Players have a limited time in the game to maximise their earning potential and I think everyone likes to know with some certainty what they will be doing each year.

"While it would work for the clubs I think it would create some problems for players.''

Titans coach John Cartwright not happy. Source: News Limited

Broncos chief executive Paul White is open-minded about possible finetuning of the salary cap.

"The NRL have reviewed other sports locally and internationally and all options are on the table,'' he said.

"It is important that the clubs as stakeholders of the game have the opportunity to provide input but we work with the NRL to make sure all views are canvassed and we take a thorough measured approach to implementation.''

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