Paul Casey feels he still has a chance to land a first Major at the US Open Championship after his second round 73.
The Englishman had been in a share of the first round lead after an opening 69 but could not repeat his first day heroics at Pebble Beach Golf Links.
He said: "73 is not disastrous. It could have been better but there were some good moments out there and some fairly hideous ones as well.
"I'll take it. I am not that far out of the lead and we'll see what happens over the weekend."
"It was better tee to green today. The ball striking was better but if anything I got on the wrong side of the hole a few times and maybe the course management wasn't quite as good. I didn't so certain things as well as yesterday but it's down to fractions and yesterday was such a good performance and if you make good decisions, that's what keeps you in golf tournaments and I need to keep making good decisions and make sure my course management over the weekend is as good as it's been so far. I am happy to be close to the lead.
The World Number Nine admitted that the famous California venue was providing a stern test.
"The greens are very difficult to read - they can be incredibly rewarding if you strike putts well," he added.
"If you get tentative the ball doesn't seem to stay on line. Pebble greens have always been interesting but it's the same for everybody and you have to deal with it. Somebody will always find a way to hole putts on them and you can't get frustrated.
"I just need to eliminate mistakes. That's the key. I don't think I have to hit better golf shots over the next two days - just repeat what I've been doing and sneaking one or two more putts and I think I can be in a strong position over the weekend."
Casey lies level par after two rounds, three behind clubhouse leader Graeme McDowell as a strong European challenge emerges.
And European Number One Lee Westwood feels he is still in the frame after a second round 71 left him three over.
“It was there for the taking this morning, I felt,” said the World Number Three. “It’s as easy as it’s going to get this week and the greens were as smooth as we are going to get them and as soft as we’re going to get.
“I didn’t get any momentum going either day but to be three over going into the weekend isn’t a bad position. You can’t attack a US Open course, you have to play patient golf and once you’ve done that you know you just have to hang around and not be too aggressive.
“I feel I can hang about for the next 36 holes and perhaps on Sunday afternoon have a chance. I don’t think anybody’s going to run away with this. It’s that type of golf course and gets harder as the day goes on. So I still fancy my chances.”
Another European Tour Member right in the mix is South African Ernie Els, who shot a 68 to go joint second in the clubhouse on one under.
“I was obviously pretty pleased with my round today,” said Els. “I needed something in red figures to get me back in the tournament.”
