MJ Daffue has turned heads at the US Open with his impressive play for much of the first two rounds of the tournament – and then for crashing back to Earth near the end of Day 2. The South African sat atop the leaderboard for most of the early contest and held the on-course lead, but the roller coaster eventually swung backward, as Daffue left The Country Club in Brookline, Mass., at one-under-par on Friday.

For those who think the 10-year pro seemingly appeared out of nowhere, you’re right – Daffue himself didn’t even plan on playing in the US Open just one month ago.

In fact, Thursday marked Daffue’s first appearance in any of golf’s esteemed Big Four competitions. The 33-year-old has spent most of his career as a mini-tour grinder but recently brought his talents to the Korn Ferry Tour.

Daffue played collegiately for four seasons, splitting his time between Lee University and Lamar University. He was named an NAIA All-American while at Lee, later winning five times individually at Lamar, including two Southland Conference Championships in 2011 and 2012.

As a Korn Ferry Tour pro, Daffue was predominantly concerned with securing a PGA Tour card. For this reason, the seasoned golfer was fully complacent with skipping the 122nd US Open qualifier – by competing in the event, he would miss out on a KFT event and thus, have one less opportunity to earn points. Albeit far more esteemed, the national open has no impact on securing the sought-after card.

However, one week prior to the US Open final qualifier, the opportunity unveiled itself: Following two consecutive third-place finishes on the KFT, Daffue passed the necessary points threshold, thereby earning himself a spot on the PGA Tour. Just like that, a trip to the US Open was now in store. 

“I didn’t want to skip a week,” Daffue said. “But then I locked it up and I said, ‘Oh, I’m going to go do it.’”

Following his strong performances in the KFT, Daffue didn’t miss a beat at the Open qualifier, tying for medalist honors and shooting eight-under over 36 holes at the Springfield Country Club in Ohio. The 296th-ranked golfer says his frequent play in the KFT Monday qualifiers has toughened his mindset. 

“What did I do — 12 out of my last 20 Monday qualifiers [and got in]?’’ Daffue said. “It really taught me to make a lot of birdies. I’ve translated that into my game. Overall pressure when you don’t have any status and you are playing a Monday qualifier, that’s a lot more pressure because you know you’ve got to go shoot 6-under par just to have a chance.”

Daffue put his experience to good use in Round 1 of the Open, tallying six birdies and finishing the day one shot off the lead. Daffue claimed the top position the following day, striking early with three birdies and a bogey over his first five holes. 

However, things began to go awry for the pro throughout the back nine of the course. 

On the 14th hole, Daffue slapped his tee shot onto the deck of a hospitality area. To much surprise, he decided to play the ball as it lied, a decision that ultimately paid off. The South African informed one fan, “I’m coming right over you, sir,” before launching his ball back onto the rough left of the green, ultimately missing his next chip and a six-footer for par.

Following this miraculous shot, Dauffe’s luck began to fade. After building a three-shot lead early in Round 2, Daffue’s back-nine 40 consisted of three bogeys and a double-bogey on the 18th hole. The 72 he shot on the day placed him 1-under, good enough for 12th place in the Open.

Daffue will look to turn things around and hold onto some of that magic he showcased in the first half of the contest.