Victorian Marc Leishman was again the standout of the Australian contingent following the second round of the 117^th U.S. Open.

Starting the day at 4-under par and in a share of seventh position, Leishman had an up and down round at Erin Hills, at one point 2-over but able to claw back to an even par round.

In contrast to the opening round, Leishman said he definitely felt like he was in a traditionally tough U.S. Open.

“Yeah, it was definitely a lot more like a U.S. Open today than yesterday. It was more U.S. Open-like. The greens were a little quicker again, starting to firm up. The 9th green is getting pretty firm there.

“Got a little bit of a rough start, but there’s probably going to be more bogies out there today than what there was yesterday.”

The Warrnambool product was strangely satisfied with his three bogies, having escaped a dreaded double on nearly all three.

“The par putts are really important, but when you have an eight- or a 10-foot bogey putt, that’s probably more important.

“You don’t want to have any doubles any time. Also a couple of bogey putts which, it’s funny, it feels wrong saying this, but it kept momentum going while making a good bogey.

“So, trouble out there on the 3rd or 4th hole there and had a good bogey putt, so I walked off that hole not feeling too bad.”

Currently sitting in the top-20 of a Major he believes he hasn’t performed well in before, Leishman feels comfortable heading in to the weekend rounds.

He said following his opening round, the Erin Hills layout reminded him of his home courses back in Australia, no doubt playing in his favour this week.

“It’s definitely the most comfortable I’ve felt on a course, on a U.S. Open course. I haven’t had a whole lot of success at U.S. Opens so far, but I felt like this course has done pretty well for me,” Leishman added.

“I finished top-20 last year at Oakmont, but that gave me confidence. Obviously playing well early in the year gives me confidence. But, yeah, I feel pretty comfortable, but there is a lot of trouble out there, so you’ve got to keep your foot on the pedal.”

Leishman is the sole Australian remaining in the U.S. Open field after a disappointing two rounds for his four compatriots.

Adam Scott looked likely to make a charge when he fought his way back to even par from 4-over in round one however could not take advantage of his terrific ball striking.

Scott left a lot of opportunities on the greens and finished 3-over par, just on the wrong side of the cut line.

World Number 3 Jason Day had a tournament to forget, his opening 7-over 79 round was followed by 3-over today and he joins a host of highly ranked players including Rory McIlroy to not make the weekend rounds.

“It’s pretty frustrating when I got here Friday, put a lot of work in — not a lot, but I tried to pace myself. I did the work, looked at the golf course, made sure that I could actually play and visualize the golf course,” Day said.

“And I felt the most calm I have in a major in a long time this week. And just unfortunately this didn’t pan out.”

South Australian Wade Ormsby will too no doubt be disappointed with his two rounds of 3-over but will take plenty of lessons from competing in his first Major.

New South Welshman Nick Flanagan also bowed out of the U.S. Open with a total score of 10-over, both he and Ormsby have made terrific returns from injury to be competing on one of the game’s biggest stages.