Woods, McIlroy, Spieth among big names to miss U.S. Open cut
The weekend at Shinnecock Hills will be lacking some serious star power, as a number of the top players in the world failed to make the cut at the 2018 U.S. Open.
Improved conditions saw scores drop after a very difficult opening round, setting the cut at 8-over par, with the top-60 players and ties making it to the weekend.
Those unable to do so include Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, Jordan Spieth, Jason Day, Sergio Garcia and Jon Rahm.
Despite a birdie on the 10th hole, his first of the day, Woods failed to get anything going over the course of his round, carding a 2-over 72 to sit 10-over for the championship. It's just the third time in 20 U.S. Open appearances he's missed the cut.
McIlroy's shocking 10-over 80 to open effectively ended his tournament before Round 2 even began. The 2011 champion rebounded on Friday with an even-par round, but it wouldn't be enough to see the weekend. Surprisingly, it's McIlroy's third straight missed cut in the U.S. Open.
Spieth looked destined to miss the cut throughout his entire second round, but caught fire late with four straight birdies on the back nine. The three-time major champ came to the 18th needing a par to qualify for the weekend, but was unable to get up-and-down from just off the green. The bogey would ensure Spieth missed a cut at a major for the first time since the 2014 PGA Championship.
Day's opening round of 79 meant the Australian had plenty of work to do on Friday, and he was unable to get moving in the right direction. The 30-year-old closed with a 73 to finish his tournament at 12-over.
Playing together both days, Garcia and Rahm battled the difficult conditions from the start, posting a 75 and 78 in Round 1, respectively. With their native Spain playing Portugal in their World Cup opener on Friday afternoon, one couldn't blame the pair if their goal in Round 2 was to finish in time for kickoff. Garcia struggled to a 79 while Rahm shot 77 to ensure neither would be around for the weekend.