Ogilvy balances good and bad at Torrey Pines

By Larry Fine

SAN DIEGO (Reuters) - Australian Geoff Ogilvy failed to capitalize on a string of birdie chances on Friday but was still satisfied with his position after the second round of the U.S. Open.

"Should have had an easier time of it," Ogilvy, the 2006 champion, told reporters after posting a two-over-par 73 in his early tee time to stand on level-par 142 for the tournament.

"The greens were definitely softer when you play in the morning and they definitely roll a bit nicer when you play in the morning.

"But 13 tee was back and the third tee is back, and it's really hard. I'm happy with what I got."

American Rocco Mediate was leading at four under midway through his tour of Torrey Pines.

Ogilvy said he had missed a string of possible birdies in the middle of his round that could have lowered his score.

"I had a short putt on six I missed, a short putt on seven I missed," the 2006 champion said. "I lipped out on eight with a putt. I missed a chip shot on 10. I could have had a run through there."

"I could have had a nice run where I birdied the holes, and I didn't birdie any of them."

Ogilvy seemed angry at himself earlier in the round, swiping at the sand at hole three after blasting out of the bunker at the par-three hole where he saved par.

At the fourth he slammed his club into the bag, knocking it over, after he again ran well past the cup out of a greenside bunker and made bogey.

The Australian said everything eventually balanced out.

"There was plenty of good stuff in there," he said. "I didn't really let too many go. You walk off even par for two rounds and you think I've left too many out there, maybe one or two, but I probably snuck a few sneaky putts yesterday, so it all works out."

(Editing by John Mehaffey)