It still looks the tallest of orders but one of the best shots of his career may have got Cameron Smith dreaming again.
Australia's British Open champion was almost down and out, his title defence all but over, until one glorious six-iron approach to the final hole at Royal Liverpool on Friday rescued what he called "a bit of a crappy week".
Not only did the soaring 232-yard arrow skirt two bunkers and roll up just 16 inches from the pin for the eagle that ensured he made the cut, but it even brought back a twinkle in Smith's eye as it reminded him he could still get back into contention to successfully defend his crown.
He's a dozen strokes off the lead and there's another 30 players ahead of him, but this was a shot of such extraordinary skill and heart under the utmost of pressure that it must have persuaded the 29-year-old that anything's still possible.
"It's a big ask to make up 12 shots (on leader Brian Harman), but I feel like a good weekend can get me right up at the top of the leaderboard there and I can salvage a bit of a crappy week," said the Queenslander, who felt his second-round 72 could easily have been a sub-70.
Smith accepts the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune in links golf, but he couldn't help thinking that he really didn't deserve the bad luck that beset him across the first two days at Royal Liverpool.
"I'd have been very mad if I hadn't qualified. I hit plenty of good drives all day today, and a few of them found the fairway bunker. It's basically a shot penalty; it's a very frustrating golf course," said Smith.
"But I think the scorecard is a long way off how my game feels."
Three times, he could hardly credit that what appeared fine drives tiptoed into fairway traps.
"Like the 14th. Creeps in the bunker. If that stays out of the bunker, you've got a six-iron or seven-iron to the middle of the green and you're looking at birdie; whereas when you chip out, you've got a seven-iron into the green to make a par.
"It's been a frustrating couple of days. I know the weather looks not so good , so hopefully the weekend I can grind it out and get back under par and just kind of see what happens.
"I think being 12 back with two rounds to go is a big ask - but you never know...."
