2010 champion Graeme McDowell is happy to be red numbers after two rounds of the US Open at Pebble Beach.
He's just six shots behind leader Gary Woodland heading into day three at three-under-par after shooting a solid round of 70 overnight.
"I'm pretty happy with under par to be honest with you. I'll certainly snatch your hand off for it on the 4th tee and I'm really disappointed coming in, because I bogeyed 14. I had a great look at it on 15, great look at it on 16. And two sound chances on 17 and 18, I didn't make any of them. Like I say, I'm not going to be too disappointed with 1-under par," G-Mac said of some missed chances at the end of his round.
"Looking at Justin up there at 7. Anything can happen on this golf course over the weekend. It doesn't take a big mistake to miss the green on the wrong side. Anything can happen here. It's about staying really, really patient.
"You don't have to do anything fancy tomorrow. I'm keeping the ball below the flag, hitting the ball in the right places generally and I feel good on the greens. I feel when I get a look I can make some birdies. A lot of work over the next 36. Excited to be here and excited for the weekend and be in contention."
Having secured his qualification for the Open at Royal Portrush last week, McDowell feels he's meeting many of his main targets for the 2019 season.
"The goals I had set for myself, my playing credentials in the PGA Tour, getting in The Open Championship, getting myself back in the top 100 and top 50 in the world. I was worried I was setting myself too lofty goals, but as I stand here, I'm really ticking all the boxes, and it's a case of putting the pedal down and looking for more out of myself.
"Like I just said over there, I've always been known as a grinder, and the word clutch comes into conversation from time to time which is nice. And I feel like those labels have started to peel off, and it's nice to reattach those a little bit. I played the type of golf that I know I'm capable of, and I want one more run at the top of the sport. And I'm still on the journey back up there. But like I say, days like these last two days are really important for me. I've got to keep working. I've got to keep grinding and it's coming. It's coming."
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