Webb Simpson seized the lead at the Greenbrier Classic Friday, and the US Open champion won’t have to worry about Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson at the weekend.
Woods, fresh from his third victory of the season at the AT&T National, was one stroke outside the projected halfway cut when darkness halted the weather-disrupted second round with a dozen players still on the course.
The 14-time major champion carded a one-under 69, capping it with a birdie at the par-three 18th that left him on even-par 140 with the cut expected at one-under 139.
“I didn’t quite have it,” Woods said. “I drove it really good today and I just did not have the feel for the distances. The ball was just going forever. I know we’re at altitude, but I just couldn’t get the ball hit pin high no matter what I did, and subsequently, I made some bogeys.”
It’s the ninth missed cut in Woods’s pro career. He failed to qualify at Quail Hollow earlier this season, making this just the second time he has missed the cut twice in the same year.
Stuart Appleby, who won the Greenbrier Classic in 2010, fired a 71 to be at three-over 143 after two rounds also missing the cut along with a host of fellow Australians in Greg Chalmers, Matt Jones, Steven Bowditch, Mathew Goggin, Nathan Green.
The news was better for Rod Pampling and Gavin Coles, who are the best-placed Australians both sitting five shots off the pace on 136.
Pampling charged 18 places up the leaderboard after firing four birdies en rout to a three-under 67, while Coles carded a 68 round.
Mickelson posted his second straight 71 for a two-over 142 total on the Old White TPC layout, finishing before thunderstorms halted play for more than an hour.
It’s the first time Woods and Mickelson have missed the cut in the same tournament as professionals.
Mickelson was at a loss to explain his struggles, not only this year but last year at the same venue.
“I really enjoy the golf course,” he said. “I don’t get it. I mean, I certainly struggled a little bit on the greens both years, but nothing that should have led to these scores.”
Simpson, meanwhile, played without a bogey, nabbing his fourth birdie of the day at the par-three 18th where he rolled in a six-foot putt to card four-under 66.
That gave him a nine-under total of 131, lifting him out of a logjam atop the leaderboard.
Simpson led this tournament last year with nine holes to play but faded to finish equal ninth.
Since then he has won his first major title, a triumph at the US Open at The Olympic Club in June.
Jonathan Byrd, Charlie Beljan, Jeff Maggert and Jerry Kelly were all in the clubhouse on eight-under 132, while Martin Flores was eight-under through 16 holes when play was halted.
Byrd and Maggert both shot 68s, Kelly carded a 66 that included four birdies and no bogeys, and tour rookie Beljan signed for a career-best 62 that included nine birdies and one bogey.