Rested Coetzee ready to contend at Whistling Straits

Kohler (United States) (AFP) - George Coetzee's season seemed to stall after two early European Tour wins, but the South African wasn't surprised by his storming second round at the PGA Championship.

"I've actually felt like I've played pretty well," said Coetzee, who finished tied for 74th at the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth in May and missed four cuts in five starts since then.

"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."

He assured himself of a first Sunday appearance in a PGA Championship after three prior missed cuts with a seven-under par 65 for a five-under total of 139.

The 29-year-old from Pretoria got off to an indifferent start with a 74 on Thursday at Whistling Straits.

"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."

Coetzee posted seven birdies and an eagle in a round marred only by bogeys at nine and 18.

"I think 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, who won his first European Tour title at the Joburg Open last year, plays many of his practice rounds with fellow South Africans Louis Oosthuizen, Charl Schwartzel and Branden Grace.

Both Schwartzel and Oosthuizen are former major champions, and Oosthuizen finished tied for second in both the US and British Opens this year.

Coetzee said the success of his countrymen inspires him -- especially after he can pocket their money in some friendly wagering.

"We take each other's cash on a day-to-day basis," he said. "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."