While most of the golfing world is glancing right over John Senden on the US Open leaderboard, the Queenslander has long known this major represents his best chance at glory.
Senden fashioned impressive rounds of even-par 70 and a 71 to sit at one over for the tournament, just two shots back of the lead in the incomplete second round.
Despite being long known as one of the best ball-strikers in golf, Senden has been overlooked by most golf experts.
The reason is a perceived lack of short game and Senden’s inability to garner a win since 2006, when he claimed his only USPGA triumph plus the Australian Open.
But the 41-year-old has worked his tail off in the past two-and-a-half years, taking his game to another level – as evidenced by his top 30 finish in the US Tour season-long points race and hunting in and around the world top 50.
His short game has improved leaps and bounds recently under long-time coach Ian Triggs, the same man who guides hall-of-fame star Karrie Webb.
And perhaps the biggest piece of the puzzle is self-belief, something Senden has slowly built up with experience and time.
Regardless, those dismissing his chances forget last year’s US Open where he entered Sunday in the mix and at one stage was just one off the winning score before fading slightly into a tie for 10th.
Senden is one of the world’s best at belting the straight ball, a recipe for success in US Opens where the rough is severe.
“This demands good ball striking, I think, and good putting,” Senden says.
“But also there’s a lot of long irons off the tee and a lot of long irons into the greens and I think I like hitting the long irons well.
“If I play my game and hit them well, hopefully that means I can do well.”
Senden leads the Australian tilt but isn’t alone in contention, with Mat Goggin making the most of his return to the majors.
After a near three-year hiatus the Tasmanian is just a shot behind Senden in a tie for 13th, three off the lead.
Currently on the secondary tour in the USA, Goggin is setting out to prove he belongs on the big stage.
“The only thing harder than 30 holes of US Open golf on one day is 31 holes,” he said.
“This is hard. Mentally it’s very difficult. Any bad tee shot and you’re just grinding trying to make a par.
“I’m pretty happy with two over. I just need to relax and try not to do anything stupid.”