World No.1 Jason Day admits he may have struggled to break 80 in the second round in the Memorial PGA Tournament at Muirfield Village if not for his trusty putter.
Day kept alive his hopes for his eighth win in his last 18 events by scratching out a one-under-71 on his home course despite playing well below his usual standards.
But to win he will have to claw his way to the top over the weekend from five shots back as he sits seven-under-137 for the tournament, looking up at Americans Brendan Steele (67) and Matt Kuchar (66) who lead on 12-under 132.
Argentina's Emiliano Grillo (66) and American Gary Woodland (65) sit tied for third at 11 under.
Day hit just six of 14 fairways and 10 of 18 greens in regulation but had just 23 putts on an otherwise forgettable round.
"If I didn't have a short game, I probably would have shot high 70s. It would have been close to 80. It was bad," Day said.
"Some days you wake up and you just feel like you don't have any control over your swing, and that's just the way I felt today."
Despite the troubles Day decided against hitting the range, instead deciding to just forget it and move on.
"I know it's more mental than technical. I've done the prep work. I'll be fine tomorrow."
Geoff Ogilvy also moved up to seven-under after a 69 on Friday while teenager Ryan Ruffels shot 71 to ensure he will make the cut at six-under.
Matt Jones (68) and John Senden (70) are seven back at five-under.
Marc Leishman (71) is a shot further back at four-under, while Rod Pampling made the cut at two under.
After being blitzed by Day in the opening round World No.2 Jordan Spieth and No.3 Rory McIlroy chased him down on Friday.
McIlroy fired a 66 to join Day at seven-under and Spieth carded a 68 to be six-under.
Aussies Nathan Holman, Aaron Baddeley, Stuart Appleby and Steven Bowditch have missed the cut.
