After shooting the course record the previous day and going on the ride of his life, Matt Jones could be forgiven for experiencing a few bumps along the way in the second round of the Honda Classic.
Still, after posting a much more sedate even-par 70, the Sydneysider is firmly in the mix – three shots behind leader Aaron Wise at Palm Beach Gardens.
Shooting the lights out again on Friday was always going to be a tough ask for Jones, so he is happy to be in contention heading into the weekend.
“It’s always tough to follow up a really good round,” said Jones. “My goal was just to give myself as many chances at birdie as I could.
“I had a few out there today that I didn’t make, but I had a good day and I’m happy where I am.”
Wise and joint-second placegetter Brandon Hagy gained six and eight shots on him, but Jones was still on a high after his opening nine-under 61.
“I had a lot of texted messages and a lot of golfers out here have asked what golf course I was playing yesterday. So it must have been a pretty special round.
“But today it showed its teeth and I had to battle it very hard. And that’s why this course is such a tough golf course.”
Jones at one stage had four bogeys in his opening seven holes but battled his way back before finishing with an eagle on 18.
“I just didn’t make the putts where I would have yesterday. Making that eagle definitely helped.”
There is plenty at stake with the winner of the Classic gaining a berth at the Masters.
The two-time and reigning Australian Open champion’s only appearance at Augusta was in 2014, when he won the Houston Open after he chipped in on the first playoff hole to beat Matt Kuchar.
But he is not thinking too far ahead and plans to keep it simple in the next two rounds.
“Just keep doing what I’m doing. I’ll work on the putting just a little bit because I think that was what let me down today.
“Overall I am satisfied with it. But I’m comfortable with where I am and another 36 holes out here, it should be fun.”