BEIJING – Adam Scott increased his lead in the Johnnie Walker Classic with a 6-under 66 in the second round before making five birdies through 11 holes in the partially completed third round to take a six-stroke lead.

Scott, an Australian who broke the Pine Valley Golf Resort and Country Club record in the first round with a 9-under 63, had seven birdies and a bogey for a 36-hole total of 15 under. By the 11th hole of the third round, Scott had moved to 19 under.

Heavy winds disrupted the first round Thursday, pushing back play and delaying the completion of the third round until Sunday morning. Only about a third of the 76 players who made the second-round cut managed to finish the third round Saturday in the $2.3 million tournament.

Henrik Stenson of Sweden climbed up the leaderboard, making six birdies through 12 holes in the third round to join Gary Rusnak of the United States on 13 under.

Rusnak had eight birdies in the second round and four birdies through the 11th hole in the third.

“I made two quick birdies and then hit it good for the next five holes but couldn’t make any putts,” Rusnak said. “Adam (Scott) is hitting the ball really well and making everything. He’s very hard to catch.”

Rusnak said he was surprised to be playing so well, and that he nearly gave up tournament play this year to spend more time with his family.

“What’s made me stick it out? Not wanting to get a job,” Rusnak joked.

Trailing Stenson and Rusnak were South Africans Retief Goosen and Richard Sterne, and Scotland’s Steven O’Hara, all on 12 under. Scotland’s Scott Drummond, Luke Donald of England and Prayad Marksaeng of Thailand, three of just 28 players to finish the third round Saturday, shared the clubhouse lead with a three-round score of 11-under 205.

Ernie Els, a two-time Johnnie Walker Classic winner, was at 10 under after 14 holes in the third round. England’s Nick Faldo missed the cut.

AP-ES-04-23-05 1005EDT