Four consecutive birdies have lifted world No.2 Adam Scott into the outright lead on day one of his Australian Masters title defence at Royal Melbourne.

Coming off Sunday’s Australian PGA Championship victory, Scott was five-under-par after 12 holes on Thursday, one ahead of Victoria’s Peter Wilson and Germany’s Maximillian Kieffer.

In benign conditions on the famed sandbelt course, US Masters champion Scott made a steady start after beginning his round on the 11th, with just one birdie in his first eight holes.

But his round really took off with birdies on the par 4 first, par 5 second, par 3 third and par 4 fourth to shoot to five-under.

His birdie on the second capped a fine recovery after he had pulled his tee shot way left into trouble and was forced to play his second shot left-handed.

While rain drenched the course in preceding days, it stayed away on Thursday morning despite grey skies.

Among the pack chasing the leading trio, American world No.8 Matt Kuchar was one under after 10 holes.

Marc Leishman, partnering Scott, was also on one-under.

Victorian Jarrod Lyle is set to make an emotional return to golf when he tees off at 12.30pm (AEDT).

It’s his first tournament in 20 months after battling leukaemia for the second time.

Scott next week will team with Jason Day in the World Cup, also at Royal Melbourne.