It is said that consistency pays on the US golf scene – and if so, Queenslander Anthony Quayle will soon cash in.
Quayle fired his second straight even-par 71 today at the Knollwood Club north of Chicago, yet climbed within four shots of the Western Amateur pace as overnight leader Sam Horsfeld crashed back to the pack.
The Hope Island member was one of just four Australians of the 12 who began the marathon event to make the halfway stroke play cut that has slashed the field to just 53 with 36 holes to play tomorrow before the top 16 advance to match play.
But after being eight behind the young Englishman’s course record in round one, Quayle now finds himself just four back and right in the middle of a congested leaderboard at T12.
Moving on also are red-hot Sydneysider Harrison Endycott, who shot 71 to sit T19 at one over alongside Melbourne’s Brett Coletta, who fired five birdies in a fine 69.
The drama for the day came from their national squad teammate Cameron John who played his final three holes in two under the card to shoot a 74 from nowhere after having been five over.
His late heroics got him into the clubhouse at +3, right on the cut number with the top 44 and ties advancing.
Melbourne’s Karl Vilips and Perth’s Curtis Luck weren’t quite as fortunate, finding themselves one on the wrong side of that mark, while Austin Bautista let slip a golden chance with a 77 that left him five over alongside fellow Sydneysider Troy Moses.
Victorian David Micheluzzi finished at seven over, while normally consistent New South Wales trio Travis Smyth, Cam Davis and Daniel Gale all finished 11 over the card.