Mexican Abraham Ancer has placed the tequila on ice after catapulting into Australian Open contention in Sydney.
A second straight 69 has left the 27-year-old US PGA Tour star at six under par for the championship and just two shots behind halfway leader Byeong Hun An.
"I felt good out there. I hit the ball great," Ancer said after rattling off five birdies playing alongside Kuchar and defending champion Cameron Davis on Friday.
"I thought I rolled it a little bit better (on the greens). Yeah, I feel really good with my game and I'm looking forward to the weekend."
Known only to golf nuts in Australia, Ancer was introduced to the sport by his father and is proving a revelation in his football-mad country.
"He just took me to the golf course since I was in diapers really and I just fell in love with the game and haven't stopped," he said.
Ancer also calls Lee Trevino a role model but unlike the legendary Mexican American, isn't known as much for his colourful ways.
The young gun said, while he was enjoying the sights of Sydney this week, he was in town for business not pleasure.
But that will change if he hoists the famous Stonehaven Cup on Sunday afternoon.
"I'm going to go out and about a little bit this afternoon just to kind of check out kind of the harbour and all that stuff," Ancer said.
"Other than that, I don't think I'm going to be drinking too much.
"Sunday night, yeah, probably - but not during the tournament."
Australian Associated Press
