Adam Scott declared this week he was ready to succeed Greg Norman.

On Friday he was talking just like him.

A mentally tired Scott battled to a second-round 69 following Thursday's uneventful 68 to trail tearaway Australian PGA Championship leader Peter Senior (64-65) by eight shots.

Asked could make up the deficit, the 23-year-old Gold Coaster's response was Norman-like to say the least.

"What is it, eight shots?," he said.

"I made up seven in one day last week (final round of the Masters) so I am sure eight is possible."

Senior, who last tour victory was the 1997 Cannon Challenge heads into the weekend 15 under par, five shots clear of fellow Queenslander Rod Pampling (65-69).

West Australian left-hander Nick O'Hern (67-68), Bathurst professional Peter O'Malley (68-67) and Craig Parry (71-65) were a shot further back on nine under.

Kiwi left-hander Gareth Paddison, who ran third in the event at Royal Queensland in his professional debut in 2001, shot a 65 to jump into sixth place on eight under.

Norman and caddie Lleyton Hewitt had a tough afternoon, the Shark needing a couple of late birdies to survive the cut after a two-over 74 left him 12 shots back.

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