George Coetzee more focused at PGA Championship
Last Updated: 15/08/15 9:59am
George Coetzee says he has benefitting from a reduced playing schedule at the PGA Championship, following a spectacular seven-under par 65 on Friday.
The South African carded seven birdies and an eagle in a round marred only by bogeys at nine and 18, to successfully make the cut at the PGA Championship for the first time in his career.
Coetzee has missed four cuts in five starts since a tied-74th finish at the BMW PGA Championship in May but was not surprised by his second-round performance, despite posting a two-over par 74 on the opening day.
"I've actually felt like I've played pretty well," said Coetzee. “It has just been kind of mentally draining. I think I played too many events and probably not focused enough on preparing for only the big ones.
"But I'm a little bit more rested this week and hopefully I'll have the energy come Sunday."
Coetzee ended his round two strokes behind early clubhouse leader David Lingmerth, and the 29-year-old said a chip in for par at the fourth was a defining moment of his round.
"It's funny how the game works," he said. "I've had the same kind of swing thoughts, same game plan.
"Today the putts just went in. If you know you're going to make the putts, then you can play a bit more conservative when you have to and you don't take the silly chances."
"I think after birdieing the first couple of holes, I felt like I'm playing well," he said. "But yesterday, I birdied the first three holes and shot 74, so it's not really something you can count on.
"But when I chipped in for par on the fourth hole, I definitely felt like, OK, maybe things are different from yesterday."
Coetzee practices with Charl Schwartzel and Louis Oosthuizen – both former major champions – and said he is inspired by the success of his fellow countrymen.
"It's nice to see them do well and it makes me feel like I also deserve to be amongst them and play against the same guys."