McGinley shoots back into contention

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An opening 74 had the Irishman having to scramble to make sure he made the cut but he did that with some to spare after a four-under-par 66. McGinley carded just one birdie on Thursday but he had two on his first five holes of the second round at Southern Hills.

"After a 74 yesterday I was disappointed," said the Ryder Cup star. I figured I could shoot a decent score and confidence grew as I holed a few putts.

"I had a lot of chances and basically hit and fairways and greens and that was the key."

With his confidence growing, McGinley added birdies at 12 and 15. He stumbled with a bogey at 16 but a birdie at 18 moved him to level par.

"It wasn't an easy putt up and over the hill at the last but to hole it was nice," McGinley said. "That 18th is a tough hole and it's hard to see the pin from way down below the green. It's difficult to identify the target."

McGinley jumped 61 spots up to a tie for ninth, six shots behind halfway leader Tiger Woods, who matched a major championship record with a second round 63.

"So far so good. Hopefully the leaders won't get too far away and I can stay in touching distance and just try to play well over the weekend and what happens happens," McGinley added.

"My main intention was to make the cut. I shot 74 and was on the cut line but I made one from six feet on the third and I was off and running from there.

"Obviously I'm pleased with my position. I put myself under pressure because of the cut line and my priority was to get away from that. The course is tougher now than it was at the start of the week because the breeze is virtually gone."