Cameron Percy endured a brutally honest dressing down from 1991 British Open champion Ian Baker-Finch two weeks ago.
Now, the unheralded golfer is the leading Australian after a rain-interrupted second round of the Genesis Open at Los Angeles' Riviera Country Club.
The 42-year-old Percy was one of just 24 golfers who completed round two of the US PGA Tour event before play was suspended on Friday due to torrential rain and strong winds.
Percy's gutsy, even-par 71 followed a sizzling opening 66 to sit at five-under-par in a share of fourth, two shots back of leaders Jhonattan Vegas (14 holes) and Sam Saunders.
With only conditional US PGA Tour status, Percy became eligible for Riviera with a top-10 finish at Pebble Beach last week.
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It was his first tournament after tough-love lesson from Australian Olympic golf team captain Baker-Finch.
"I've been playing well for a while and getting nothing out of it. But Ian told me I wasn't as focussed on the course as I needed to be," said Percy.
"I talk to my playing partners too much and I get distracted, but Ian gave me a real kick up the backside – I need to be less social and more professional.
"He's been great to all the Aussies and he's definitely a part of my recent form.
"I’m also putting really well, which he's been helping me with with for years."
Baker-Finch knew Percy's talent could benefit from an observation he made playing with six-time major winner Nick Faldo.
“Whenever I played with Faldo, he'd wish you good luck on the first tee, thank you for the game and that was all he'd say," said Baker-Finch.
"Cam hasn’t won on tour yet, but he can. He's got a good swing and plenty of power.
“He was just losing focus and getting down on himself too easily."
Percy upstaged big-name Australians Jason Day and Adam Scott, with Day managing to climb to a two-under total during the 15 holes he completed.
After opening with a one-under 70, Day shares 34th with compatriot Cameron Smith (through one hole).
With afternoon tee times, Marc Leishman (four under), Adam Scott (three under), Aaron Baddeley (one under) Greg Chalmers (one over) and Steven Bowditch (seven over) were also prevented from teeing off.
Geoff Ogilvy (through 12 holes) is one over for the tournament, while John Senden signed for a 74 and is two over.
Play will resume on Saturday at 7am local time with 120 golfers to finish their second rounds.
