Smith feels flow at Portrush, in the top 5

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by Justin Falconer at Royal Portrush

Cam Smith on day two at the Open Championship 2019.

In the game of Royal Portrush Cam, Smith left the corner yesterday. On Friday in The Open it was full speed ahead.

With six birdies on the day, five of those who came around the corner in a seven-hole blitz, Smith & # 39; s second round 5-under-66 threw him over the leaderboard in Northern Ireland.

The Queenslander is 6-under on half of the last men's match of the year, enough to be in the top five when he goes to the clubhouse.

At 1-under through 18 holes last night, the World No.42 – but not in a panic – complained a series of burnt edges and missed opportunities.

But 24 hours later, Smith once again felt like his old cunning self on a golf course that required imagination and old-school feeling.

"It was basically the same as yesterday, but a few more putts went in today," said Smith.

"I feel really confident with the putter, which releases my longer game a bit.

"I knew that if I could get myself within 20 feet, I would look at it pretty well.

"That was the game plan today, not necessarily so offensive, just give myself a chance and some went inside."

Again Smith quoted something in his mindset that he picked up at the recent Rocket Mortgage Classic in Detroit that helped him close a recent run of bad shape

With a career best Open finish of 78th coming last year, this tournament has not been overly friendly to him.

But the test links from Royal Portrush – a layout that he would quickly put on Monday as his favorite in the Open rota – have brought out the best in Smith this week.

"I was perhaps a bit too technical with my swing," said Smith.

"I went back to an attempt to see a shot and hit what was fun here. You have to make so many different shots.

"It is typical [a tournament] that I have not played my best golf.

"It's always nice to fly a little under the radar, not so much attention. Just able to do your own thing."

Fellow Queenslander Jason Day started the second round level with Smith at 1-under but a dramatic back nine collapse, marked by six falling shots in five holes, saw him a 3-over 74 places to flirt with the cut line.

Previously, Smith & # 39; s former state teammate Jake McLeod nicely climbed his important debut with an even par 71 to stay 5-over.

NSW Dimi Papadatos also improved dramatically on its opening 83 with a 1-over 71 on Friday, marked by late birdies at 15 and 17.

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