Andy Sullivan and Lee Slattery in contention at US Open
Saturday 18 June 2016 14:32, UK
Andy Sullivan and Lee Slattery were delighted with their efforts on a marathon second day of the US Open as both hauled themselves into contention at Oakmont.
Sullivan finished off an opening 71 early on Saturday morning before heading back out an hour later, and he carded four birdies and two bogeys in a second-round 68 which he completed moments before darkness halted play.
Slattery was a shot further back at the halfway stage after a colourful card in his second-round 68, which included four birdies, four bogeys and a magnificent chip-in for eagle at the long 12th.
Both Englishmen were within striking distance of the lead by the close of play, and they will enjoy a morning of relaxation before beginning their third rounds late on Saturday afternoon.
When asked about playing almost two full rounds in one day, Sullivan said: "I felt like it worked in our favour. I felt well this morning and I used that momentum to carry on into the afternoon and played really well. I just used that momentum to my advantage and it worked well.
"I think the greens were short in the morning and they were just getting a little quicker later on, which enabled me just to get them a little bit closer and I holed a few more putts in the afternoon. I was pretty aggressive all day, but the course is generally quite soft in terms of Oakmont.
"I think that enabled me to be aggressive and hit driver in places that you normally wouldn't hit. The majors I've played, I found myself being quite defensive and shying away from flags and trying to hit it to the right areas. Today, I felt like I played smart but was aggressive at the same time. I think that's why I've played so well.
"I know it's going to be a long, hard weekend, and the greens are going to get firmer and quicker and I'll have to be ultra patient out there. Maybe probably not as aggressive as I've been the first couple days because I have to play a little bit smarter, but it is what it is and I'm going to thrive on it. I'm up there at the US Open."
Slattery missed the cut in his only previous US Open appearance in 2012, but he used his accuracy off the tee to mount a significant challenge at Oakmont.
"It has just been a really, really long day on a really tough golf course," said the 37-year-old, who won his second European Tour title at last year's Russian Open. "I played great in the morning, I didn't hit a great tee shot off the first but after that I played some great golf.
"The afternoon, I just hit every fairway. I hit 14 fairways, which is key around here and it just sets up the hole every single time, and it means you can go for par-fives in two and take your chances whenever you get one."
Slattery played alongside Daniel Summerhays, who played a scorching back-nine in just 30 shots to card a superb 65 and move to one under for the tournament.
"Me and Daniel were incredible," Slattery added. "He's a great player and I fancy he could do well this week. We were just feeding off each other all day. I holed a chip shot, he'd hole a putt straight after it and we kept going. We definitely bounced off each other."
The highlight of Slattery's round was his remarkable pitch-in for eagle at the 12th, and he added: "I hit a long drive down there, about 320 yards, and it meant I could have a go at the green. I hit a nice three-wood. but it came up 10 yards short of the green.
"But I hit a lovely little chip, little bit of check, and it seemed to take an eternity to get to the hole. I probably played it 15 or 20 feet left of the hole, and when it fell onto the green I thought it was going to be close, but never expected it to go in. It was a huge bonus."
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