Anirban Lahiri was delighted to finally put down a marker at a Major Championship as second round 67 catapulted him into contention after two rounds of the US PGA Championship at Whistling Straits.
The Indian had played in six career Majors coming into this week missing three cuts, but had a best finish of a tie for 30th at the Open Championship last month.
The 28-year-old has two European Tour wins this season at the Maybank Malaysian Open and Hero Indian Open and, after moving into a share of fourth following the second round in Wisconsin, is delighted with the progress he is making.
"I've played every WGC and every Major (this season), so obviously I belong here because I wouldn't be playing otherwise," he said.
"I feel like I can compete. It's good to finally have evidence of that this week. But, yeah, we're only halfway through."
He added: "You enjoy it, you soak in all the experience, you play all these great tracks, especially this one, it's probably got to be my favourite track so far in America.
"So, you take all of it in and you keep learning. That's been something that has happened this year to me, because I played a lot of new tracks, a lot of different conditions and it's been a good learning experience.
"I'm finally beginning to come to terms with the different grasses in America, but it's taken about eight or nine events."
Martin Kaymer is a veteran of Majors, having won this tournament the last time it was played here in 2010 and also claimed victory at the US Open last year.
The German sat three shots behind Lahiri and seven off the lead of Matt Jones following back to back 70s but believes he can make a charge over the weekend.
"I think I left two or three shots out there, otherwise I would have been right there," he said.
"I just need one of those five, six under rounds to give myself a chance for tomorrow.
"It's possible, I just need to make a few more putts. Those mid-range putts, I haven't made any, really, this week."
