James Ashfield revealed testing himself against the best players in the world was a big motivation for his recent decision to turn professional, and he looked right at home alongside the star names as he played his way into contention over the opening two days of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.
The 23-year-old Welshman, making his professional debut this week, began his campaign with a stunning 64 at the Old Course at St Andrews on Thursday.
And he followed that up with a second-round 69 at Carnoustie which contained an eagle, two birdies and a bogey.
Speaking about the decision to join the pro ranks, Ashfield said: "I didn't really see a point staying as amateur anymore.
"I felt like I kind of did everything I could in the amateur game.
"So I was like, I'm not going to wait around and wait until whenever it was, February, March, for the next event.
"I'd rather get my feet stuck in there and be against the best in the world and see where I am, really.
"You've got to believe in yourself. So for me, I'm just going out there playing golf and just trying to make as many birdies as I can. So that's what the plan is for the next few days."
Reflecting on Friday's second round at a notoriously tricky course, he added: "Three under around Carnoustie is good any time, no matter the weather.
"We had a pretty good day, to be fair. There wasn't much wind.
"I felt like I hit it pretty good tee-to-green.
"I didn't hole as much as yesterday but it was hard to live up to that because I holed the world yesterday, to be honest with you. Everything was just pretty tidy."
