Greensboro, NC … 

Geoff Ogilvy epitomises the expression – When the going gets tough, the tough get going!

Ogilvy arrived in Greensboro for this week’s Wyndham Championship, and how the Americans love to say, right on the bubble for next week’s start to the FedEx Cup Play-Off Series.

The 2006 U.S. Open champion is lying 125^th on the points list and right on the cut-off point for those who will tee-up in the Northern Trust on Long Island.

And the now 40-year old Ogilvy was not excited but determined to do his utmost, and in his eight Wyndham Championship showing, to ensure his place in next week’s field.

An opening round 70 was hardly what Ogilvy was seeking but the eight-time PGA Tour winner turned-up the heat in day two’s continuing stifling sauna-like conditions signing for four-under par 66.

Ogilvy was even par for the day through 11 holes and then stormed home on the back of five birdies including four in succession from his 12^th hole.

Indeed, Ogilvy could easily have birdied his closing seven holes just missing putts of 14-feet at his 16^th hole and then a 13-footer at his last.

“I was thinking to myself this is my last tournament of the year unless I sank that putt on my 12^th hole,” he said.

“I was playing well enough to make birdies but then over the last seven holes I didn’t miss a beat.

“I got a great bounce on a cart path on five (his 14^th hole) and wedge in. It might have been alright if it didn’t hit the cart path but it definitely made it a lot easier.

“The thing is it is never nice to play okay and not play all four rounds.

“But the good thing was that I got that feeling the last few holes. It was an important cut to make and I get two more cracks at securing my place next week.”

Ogilvy, who last tasted PGA Tour success in capturing the 2014 Barracuda Championship, likened today’s effort akin to the closing few holes when in contention late on a Sunday.

“It’s different, nerves on Sunday and pressure on Friday,” he said.

“It’s also nice to hit good shots but the good thing I ’ve got two more cracks at it.

“There’s also an element to that for sure, without any question. The longer you do this and when you’ve played at the highest of situations, sometimes the regular situations aren’t enough to fire you up.

“If I’m playing okay I find my best when there’s a bit of pressure on. When you’re playing poorly you go the other way. I was probably not into enough maybe, not consciously it just happens. You find yourself cruising along on cruise control.

“I always felt like I was going to play the weekend. It was a wake-up. Sometimes it works out, sometimes it doesn’t.

“So, Friday on the cutline is a different feeling than Sunday afternoon but it’s just as difficult in some respects.

“It’s like doing an exam at school as opposed to public speaking.

“To miss the cut that would have been guaranteed not getting in next week and that would have been a disappointing plane ride home.

“If I can play the next 36 like the last seven it will probably be a good weekend”.

And Ogilvy’s goal has been helped as four of his five nearest FedEx Cup rivals missed the Wyndham Championship cut.

They include the 126^th ranked Cameron Tringale, 128^th Ryan Palmer, 129^th Billy Hurley 111 and the 130^th ranked J.T. Poston.

Only Sam Saunders, and Arnold Palmer’s grandson and ranked 127^th, also made the cut to be placed well up the board at nine-under par.