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. In 2005 he missed the cut at both the Byron Nelson Championship and the FUNAI Classic at Walt Disney World Resort. “I just didn’t have feel for my distance control,” Woods said. “The ball was going forever.” Although missed cuts remain a rarity for Woods, he said there was no reason for alarm even with the British Open looming. “It happens,” he said. “We miss cuts out here.” He said distance control won’t be a problem at Royal Lytham, where the British Open begins on July 19. “It’s not going to be this warm and we’re not going to be at altitude,” he said. Mickelson carded his second straight 71 for two-over 142 after two rounds on the Old White TPC layout, finishing before thunderstorms halted play for more than an hour.
Pettersen seizes US Open lead, Wie lurks
Norway’s Suzann Pettersen didn’t let a hectic morning slow her down, firing a four-under 68 Friday to seize the US Women’s Open lead as Michelle Wie surged up the leaderboard behind her. “My game is very solid,” said Pettersen, ranked sixth in the world. “My ball striking is good. My short game is good. And my putting has been really good so far.” Those good things saw her build a 36-hole total of five-under par 139, one stroke ahead of Wie and Cristie Kerr. Pettersen’s round included five birdies and just one bogey as she maintained her focus despite oversleeping and rushing to make her tee time.