Thomas Detry felt fully prepared to challenge for a life-changing victory after carding a brilliant second-round 67 at the U.S. Open.
The Belgian has five runner-up finishes on the DP World Tour but has yet to enter the winner's circle, having also finished second twice in the last two seasons on the PGA TOUR.
He does have a professional victory on the European Challenge Tour, winning the Bridgestone Challenge by a remarkable 12 shots in 2016, but it is a more recent achievement that is giving him inspiration this week.
The 31-year-old carded a closing bogey-free 66 at last month's US PGA Championship to finish in a tie for fourth - his best result in a Major - and he has brought the confidence from that performance to Pinehurst Resort & Country Club.
"I was pretty much in the same position, what, a month ago at the PGA. I thought I did pretty well with it," he said after moving to four under heading into the weekend.
"I was kind of lingering around the top ten. I hit some great golf shots the last five holes. Some tough tee shots: 15, 16, 17. I was really committed. I was really visualising nicely. I think that's something I can use this week.
"My confidence is good. My play is good. I feel mentally stable as well. I think I've got all my chances. I think it's going to be a fun challenge."
Detry hit smart approaches into the 11th, 12th and 13th for a hat-trick of birdies but saw a chip return to his feet as he gave a shot back at the 14th.
A stunner to three feet at the first was followed by a lengthy putt on the third and he was the solo leader after a two-putt at the par-five fifth.
Bogeys followed at the sixth and eighth but Detry was happy with his work.
Moving into the mix 📈@tomdetry is inside the top five at a Major once again. #USOpen pic.twitter.com/Tp67CC0LiU
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) June 14, 2024
"If you would have told me on Wednesday I would have been five under in my round today, I wouldn't have believed it," he said.
"I just played target golf. I was very committed to my targets. I was hitting a lot of full shots out there. I was trying to get as much elevation as possible.
"Instead of knocking down seven or eight irons, I was trying to hit like full nine irons and full wedges to try to get as much spin and as much height as possible. I think I did a pretty good job of it.
"The course is not easy. There's going to be setbacks out there. You have to be prepared for it. It's all about trying to minimise the big numbers.
"When you're out of position, hit a shot that has a bad bounce, tough up-and-down, you have to accept the bogey in a way. I think that's going to be the key for the weekend."
