Marc Leishman is among a host of US Open players benefiting from the most spectacular big-name collapse at the majors in world rankings history.
On Friday, defending US Open champ Dustin Johnson, Rory McIlroy and Jason Day became the first top-three ranked golfers to miss the cut at one of the four big dances since the rankings began in 1986.
"If you look at the golf course and talk to me, Jason or Rory, this course sets up perfect for us," world No.1 Johnson said.
"But this game's all about putting. It's pretty simple, (we) just didn't get it in the hole fast enough."
It opened the door for England veteran Paul Casey (71) to share honours atop a no-frills leaderboard with countryman Tommy Fleetwood, Brooks Koepka and Brian Harman (all 70) at seven-under after the second round at Erin Hills.
Overnight leader and world No.9 Rickie Fowler stumbled, carding a 73 to drop to a share of fifth at six under alongside fellow Americans Jamie Lovemark and JB Holmes (both 69).
Victorian Leishman lurks three shots off the pace with a gutsy even-par 72 maintaining his four-under total, becoming the only Australian to make it to the weekend.
Leishman's score is remarkable given the 33-year-old ranked 121st for fairways hit (18 of 28 total) on the longest-ever course in majors history and features knee-high rough.
Despite the scorecard battle, Leishman says it's the most comfortable he's been at a major.
The Warrnambool native compared his good vibes to his two best finishes on the big stage - a tie for fourth at the 2013 Masters (won by countryman Adam Scott) and the 2015 British Open, when Leishman lost in a playoff to Zach Johnson at St Andrews.
"It's definitely up there with those two results," Leishman. said.
"I think this is the best I've ever felt at a US Open; definitely the most comfortable I've felt on a US Open course."
Fellow Australian Adam Scott started the day in a respectable position of even-par, but the world No.12 sealed his exit with a disappointing 75.
After opening with a 79, Day's struggles continued with a second-round 75 ensuring he ended the longest active streak of cuts made (17) at the majors.
Day had never missed a cut at the US Open in six previous starts and suffered his first weekend away from the majors since the 2012 US PGA Championship.
Fellow Australians Wade Ormsby (six-over after a second 75) and Nick Flanagan (10-over after a 79) also went home early, joining Johnson (four-over after a 73) and four-time major winner McIlroy (five-over after a 71).
Jordan Spieth, the 2015 US Open winner snuck just inside the cut-line at even-par with a 71.
