Former England amateur international Paul Bradshaw, playing in his first Open and a professional for less than a year, achieved something that the world's greatest golfers could not manage at Royal Troon.

The 25-year-old, who has never even been to the event before, covered the feared back nine in a four under 31 late in the second round and went into the weekend in a tie for 24th place on level par.

Bradshaw, based in Gainsborough but born in Tony Jacklin's home town Scunthorpe, had already had an eventful time on the outward half, pitching in for eagle at the 379-yard third and then taking a double bogey five on the little "Postage Stamp" eighth.

But needing to come home in one under just to make the halfway cut he birdied the 10th, 11th, 12th and long 16th.

"I felt like committing suicide at the eighth, but I'm just overwhelmed now," he said after signing for a 67 bettered only by Phil Mickelson and leader Skip Kendall.

"I've felt more comfortable as the week's gone on. You just have to try to free yourself of nerves."

Bradshaw failed to get a European tour card at the first attempt and has been only mini-tour events. His one appearance on the "second division" Challenge Tour was in Egypt and he was ill all week.

A survivor of both regional and qualifying competitions to get into the Open, he is probably the least-known player in the final two rounds. His main aim is to enjoy the experience.