New Jersey’s Pak lone amateur to make the cut at

John Pak, the Florida State All-American from Scotch Plains, N.J., was the only amateur to make the cut.

After starting the week with a 69, he went 76-79.

“I’m honored,” he said. “I played a very good first two days. Yesterday was just OK, but the first day I played great, and it feels good to know that I at least have one good round that I competed with some of the best players in the world. I’m so honored to be the low [amateur] for this week.”

Pak has one more goal for the week.

“I want to prove to people that I didn’t just have one good day,” he said. “I’ve worked hard to become the player I am today, and just want to put up a good number and just prove to people that I can play some golf.”

Paul Casey came home in 30, the best score on the back nine all week. It gave him a 69 after going out in 39.

“I was just trying not to shoot 80, in fairness, after that front nine,” he joked. “Actually for a moment there I had to count my score because I thought there was every chance of a

John Pak opened with 69 on Thurday and went on to make cut.

29. It went through my mind on the putt on the last, I had to quickly add up and realize it wasn’t possible. I don’t

know how many 29s would have been achieved at a U.S. Open, either. Probably fairly few.”

Casey said he was happy that he “finally got one off of Winged Foot.

“It takes its pound of flesh every single time you seem to play this golf course, so I feel like I got an ounce or two of my own flesh back.”

NOREN’S HAPPY PLACE

Alex Noren, who made the cut on the number before turning in a 67 Saturday, simply improved his mindset.

“Yesterday I was very like angry man on the golf course, and my goal today was to putt better and be more — be in a little happier place. I just tried to be that way,” he said. “That’s maybe