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NZPA/Ross Setford
Smail "devastated" by dashed US Open chances
Hamilton's David Smail said he was "devastated" after plunging out of contention during the second round at the US Open on Friday.
Smail was all smiles after finishing the first round in style with birdies at the final two holes for an even-par 70 at Bethpage.
After a short break of barely one hour, he returned for the second round, but it was a different player in the same body as he ran up bogeys at the first three holes.
It's difficult for anyone to steady the ship after that, and Smail dropped three more shots, slipping to six-over after 14 holes when play was halted for the day in fading light.
However, there was a glimmer of hope, because he will have a short birdie putt at his 15th hole, the par-four sixth, when play resumes on Saturday and he still has a chance of making the halfway cut.
"I really wanted to play well this week and it's just not happening," Smail said.
"This morning was good but I went out this afternoon and hooked my first two tee shots and then at the next hole I hit it right down the middle into a sand divot, with 215 yards left to the hole.
