For a player who entered the week ranked 354th in the world at the U.S. Open, simply believing he belonged was the breakthrough. Pro golfer Harry Higgs found that belief Friday at Shinnecock Hills.

Higgs, the last man into the field, posted a second-round 68 to put himself in the mix entering the weekend at the U.S. Open. It's his best showing in a season that has otherwise given him almost nothing.

Speaking with reporters afterward, Higgs was direct. "I would love to recreate it over the next two days," Higgs said. "And if I don't, I'm just going to try my d******** and see what happens."

That feeling has been rare for good reason. Higgs has just one top-20 finish all year between the PGA Tour and Korn Ferry Tour, and he missed the cut in all six of his PGA Tour starts this season.

"For the first time in a while, I truly thought that, like, yeah, I can do this," he said. "This is Friday. Who knows? I'm sure it's going to be harder tomorrow, and I'm sure it's going to be even harder Sunday." He added, "I haven't had that feeling in a while."

His path to Shinnecock makes Friday's round even more surprising. Higgs lost his Tour card in two of the last three seasons and squeezed into the U.S. Open field as the final qualifier.

Higgs has struggled at times this year to stay calm on the course. When he hits a bad shot or gets an unlucky break, one mistake often leads to more mistakes and hurts his round. Friday broke that pattern.

Harry Higgs' two rounds tell the story

Higgs shot a 1-over 71 in the opening round on Thursday despite dealing with fog delays and strong winds.

He hit good approach shots on the 10th and 13th holes, but both rolled back off the green, leading to bogeys. "I hit a great shot and just got smacked in the mouth to start," he said.

Friday was much better. He made three birdies on the front nine, and a birdie on the 11th briefly moved him into second place. Despite two late bogeys, he carded a 68 and enters Saturday inside the top 10.

The round moved him to 1-under, tied for seventh with Sam Burns, Sahith Theegala, and Justin Thomas, six shots behind leader Wyndham Clark.

Even Higgs wasn't sure why he played so well after a difficult year. He suggested that Shinnecock's demanding setup helped him put past disappointments behind him and focus on the task at hand.

A late Saturday tee time awaits, with Higgs still in the mix heading into the weekend.

Follow Club Golf for more.

Written by

Sneha Abraham

Edited by

Pulkit Prabhav