Tiger Woods misses the cut at US Open as Reed takes the lead
Mamaroneck, New York, Sep 18 (efe-epa).- American Patrick Reed led the US Open golf tournament at the end of Friday’s second round, which saw Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson miss the cut on a windy afternoon at the notoriously challenging Winged Foot course.
“I feel good,” Reed said at the end of the day. “I feel ready to go out and put myself in position hopefully to have a chance late on Sunday.
“I feel like the game is where it needs to be. I just need to tighten a few things up here or there, but the short game is sharp, and when I play around a place like this, that’s what you need,” he said after shooting an even-par 70.
Reed shot 66 on Thursday, when he was one of 21 players to finish under-par, and is 4-under at the midpoint of the tournament.
Only six competitors managed to get the better of Winged Foot on Friday, including Bryson DeChambeau, who shot a 68 to go 3-under overall and move into second place behind Reed.
Tied at 2-under-par are Americans Harris English and Justin Thomas and Spain’s Rafa Cabrera Bello. The first-round leader, Jason Kokrak, is sixth at 1-under.
“I feel great. Confidence is at an all-time high right now,” DeChambeau told reporters. “I’m driving it well, iron play is fantastic, wedging is getting better each and every day, and I’m putting it like I know I can. So, very happy.”
The current world No. 1, Dustin Johnson of the United States, shot an even-par 70 on Friday for a cumulative 3-over to make the cut. Second-ranked Jon Rahm moved to 1-over-par and will be paired in the third round with Cabrera Bello.
Woods saw his quest for a fourth US Open triumph and 16th major championship end after shooting 77 on Friday to slip to 10-over-par overall.
The 44-year-old had double bogeys on the 16th and 18th holes Friday.
Mickelson, 50, has five major titles, but has never won the US Open. Despite the tougher conditions, he improved on Friday to shoot a 74 to go 13-over for the first two rounds.
“I enjoyed the week, and I enjoyed the challenge that this golf course provides,” Mickelson said. “I think it’s a terrific place to play golf and I’m appreciative of the opportunity to have been able to compete here. I’m disappointed I didn’t play better.”
Two other previous US Open champions, American Jordan Spieth and Graeme McDowell of Northern Ireland, failed to make the cut at Winged Foot. EFE
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