Joost Luiten was pleased to keep his calm as the Dutchman recovered from two early bogeys to find himself just two off the clubhouse pace during the second round of the US Open Championship.
The four-time European Tour winner was three shots behind Henrik Stenson and Dustin Johnson after an opening 68, but dropped shots on Chambers Bay’s fourth and seventh holes this morning.
However, the 29 year old birdied the tenth, 15th and 16th – the latter from inside five feet after an excellent approach – for an inward 31, second round 69 and three under par total, just two behind clubhouse leaders Patrick Reed and Jordan Spieth.
“It was a good back nine,” said Luiten. “I played pretty well on the front nine, but I just didn't make any putts and two bogeys.
“I didn't make my birdie putts on the front nine and luckily on the back nine I managed to make a couple of good putts and keep the mistakes off the card. A one under score today, I'm very happy with that.
“It was key to me to stay calm after being two over after seven. I thought if I just kept playing my game and give myself the chances that I had on the first nine, then hopefully I can make some birdies.
“I think that was the key for today to stay calm, be patient and wait for your chances, and luckily they went in on the back nine.
“You don't have to make ten putts around here on this course, you just need to make a couple, then you're three under for tournament and right there.
“You just have to take it day-by-day, stay patient and take the hole has it comes and play the right way, I think that's the key for this week.”
