Justin Thomas ranged between a world-beater and a casual golfer Friday at the Players Championship, but the three-time winner on the PGA Tour this season will be around for the weekend at TPC Sawgrass.

Thomas shot a 1-under 71 in Round 2, which may sound boring, but he finished with seven birdies, four bogeys and a double-bogey. 

"Even keel, very easy day,” Thomas joked after his round, via golfchannel.com. “I don’t really know what to say about that round. It was so bizarre.”

Thomas, who started his round on the back nine, bogeyed his first three holes. He then birdied holes 14,15 and 16, but he drove it into the water on 18 off the tee, which led to a double-bogey. At that time, it appeared he would miss the cut.

But Thomas then birdied the first three holes on the front nine to get back into the mix. After a rare stretch of pars, Thomas drained a 7-footer for birdie on the par-5 ninth hole to get to even for the tournament and secure his place in the field over the weekend.

“I was happy with the way I grinded out there,” he said. “I was fighting and I just was making too many mistakes. But I’m in a really good position going into this weekend.”

Despite the up-and-down round, Thomas was glad he finally made some birdies in front of playing partner Rory McIlroy, who also finished at even.

“I’m glad I finally shot under par with Rory. I don’t think I ever had,” Thomas said. “The first time I played with him in a tournament it was probably a little nerves, but I just I don’t know why. I’ve had a hard time playing with him, so I was glad to see that I finally got over the hump to break par with him.”