Graeme McDowell produced a stirring fightback to set himself up for a potentially confidence boosting weekend at the 2021 Dubai Duty Free Irish Open.
The Northern Irishman ended a nearly six year barren run on the European Tour at last season's Saudi International but since then has made just four cuts and by his own admission has not been able to hit the heights that made him a Major Champion.
He was four over stood on the 17th tee at Mount Juliet Estate on day one and staring down the barrel of a weekend off before birdies on the 17th and 18th gave him a glimmer of hope.
He started round two with two more gains to get back level and added birdies on the 17th, fourth and fifth in a bogey free 67 to make the cut on the number and set up two more days in front of the fans in County Kilkenny.
And the 41-year-old, while not ruling out a title tilt here with two very low rounds, was eager to build momentum heading into next week's Rolex Series event at the abrdn Scottish Open.
"It's so important, even looking forward to next week, the big key with this game is 65, 66, 67," he said. "You feel good about yourself as we move on; there's always next week.
Not ruling out the chance of shooting something low tomorrow and having a chance here on Sunday
"But if you're missing cuts and going home on Friday night, you miss that weekend and you miss the opportunity to build.
"And I think that's been one of the main problems the last 12 months, the amount of cuts that I've missed, which has just killed that ability to create confidence.
"Because even 50th spot going out on a Sunday and shooting 65, you take something into the following week.
"So making the weekend here, having the ability to be able to create a little bit of momentum as I move into a huge week next week, not ruling out the chance of shooting something low tomorrow and having a chance here on Sunday.
"But like I say, key to have four rounds."
