Daniel Augustus stumbled at the first hurdle in his bid for US Open qualification in Orlando, Florida, this week.

The professional carded a two-over 74, which included four birdies and six bogeys, during Wednesday’s 18-hole local qualifier at the Orange Tree Golf Club to finish four shots shy of the cut, tied for 21st in a field of 47.

The steady form that Augustus has enjoyed with his irons heading into the event eluded him as he hit only four greens in regulation.

“I hit it horrendous,” he said. “I only hit four greens, which for me as of recent is uncharacteristic. I was a bit quick with it all.

“The course was tight. You have to be on your p’s and q’s, which is why I picked it because I felt like I was striking the ball better. It’s a ball-striker’s golf course and my ball-striking wasn’t good. It was just a bad day and that’s OK.”

Augustus added: “For me to only hit four greens and shoot two over, I am proud of that.

“I am happy with my short game and I know it was an off day. But my off days used to be I shoot 80 not two over, so all in all that’s huge progress and I am proud of where my game is going.

“I am happy about what the future holds for me because I know my future is looking brighter than it ever has.”

Augustus was still in the hunt at one over midway through his round after rattling in back-to-back birdies at holes 7 and 8.

Things then got even better for the 33-year-old shortly after making the turn as he rolled in successive birdies at holes 10 and 11 to dip to one under and gain more momentum.

Augustus remained at one under through 13 holes but gradually came unstuck as he bogeyed three of the last five holes coming in that put paid to his qualifying hopes.

“It wasn’t my time yet,” the former Bermuda Open winner added.

“But I’m happy overall with where my game is going and happy with how well I scrambled.

“I missed a bunch of greens and didn’t hit the ball really well which is strange because that’s been the best part of my game the past couple of weeks.

“But again it’s all part of it; what I’m going through and what I’m working on getting better at so I was cool with it. Not qualifying doesn’t mean the end of the world, so I’m happy with it.

“I’m only looking at the positives. I birdied three out of the four par-fives which is great scoring-wise and which is what I am happy about.

“I’m getting better and that’s all that matters to me.”

Luis Fernando Barco, of Peru, fired a seven-under 65 to win the qualifier by three shots

Jim Renner, of Massachusetts, finished second at four under with Luis Gagne, of Costa Rica, rounding off the top three a further shot back.