Simon Dyson has earned himself a second crack at the US Open - four years after the most demanding week of his golfing life.
Rounds of 66 and 70 gave the 31-year-old from York third place behind fellow Englishman Simon Khan and France's Raphael Jacquelin in the European qualifying event at Walton Heath.
And Dyson said of the challenge that now awaits him at Bethpage Black next month: "I just hope it's not as hard as Pinehurst was.
"That was too hard - the most difficult course I've ever played. You were hitting four-irons into greens that were designed for wedges.
"You could be stood in the middle of a fairway with like a six-iron in your hands thinking 'How do I hit this on the green?'
"I didn't play that great to be fair, but I've never seen anything like it."
Dyson shot 79-78 to miss the cut by nine shots, but the 2007 USPGA at Southern Hills was a different story.
He closed with a dazzling 64 there for sixth place and he is hoping for a week like that on New York's Long Island.
With Colin Montgomerie among those to withdraw before the start a total of 75 players battled for the 11 spots on offer.
Four Ryder Cup stars were in the field, but while Paul McGinley, David Howell and Niclas Fasth missed out, recent Spanish Open winner Thomas Levet made it through on seven under.
Bethpage is where Levet's US Open debut came in 2002, and he finished 18th.
Compatriot Jacquelin, meanwhile, had failed in four previous attempts at the qualifier, but made no mistake this time by following up an opening 67 on the New Course with a 68 on the Old.
Former Wales Open champion Khan matched that and for him it was fourth time lucky.
"I had a look at Bethpage on the internet to get some inspiration," said the Essex golfer. "It's been a bit of a tough year so far and to make it into a major means a lot."
Joint fifth were South African Andrew McLardy and another Tour rookie David Horsey, the Cheshire 24-year-old who led the BMW PGA Championship after the opening round last Thursday.
The remaining five spots had to be decided by a play-off involving seven players, among them Scot Stephen Gallacher and England's Richard Bland.
Walker Cup squad member Sam Hutsby, the one amateur taking part, was well positioned after a first-round 69, but four-putted the 15th in an afternoon 74 and missed by four.
Josh Cribbs of Cleveland Browns shows for team meeting, but does not practice
HANSON PLAYS ACE TO MAKE US OPEN
HANSON THROUGH IN SPECTACULAR STYLE
