Rose escapes cut with final-hole birdie
Carnoustie claimed three of the world’s top five players among its victims at the 147th Open Championship as Dustin Johnson, Justin Thomas and Jon Rahm all missed the cut.
And only a birdie at the last from Justin Rose prevented the top trio failing to make the weekend at a major for only the second time since the creation of the rankings in 1986.
The only time it has happened was 13 months ago when Johnson, Rory McIlroy and Jason Day all bowed out on the Friday of the 2017 US Open at Erin Hills.
Rose carded a 73 to sneak into the weekend right on the cut at three over, which ruled out world No 1 and 2 Johnson and Thomas and fifth-ranked Spaniard Rahm. Johnson was six over for 36 holes, Thomas four over and Rahm five over.
“Left it late till the 18th hole, but, obviously, that birdie was important for me to be in it for the week,” said Rose. After a secondround 77 ruined his chances, Thomas wrote on Twitter: “Gonna figure out this tournament one of these years! Absolutely love @theopen and links golf, just have to eliminate the mistakes. Onward and upward.” Masters champion Patrick Reed also made the cut right on the mark after three dropped shots in two holes midway through his back nine threatened to knock him out.
Former Masters winners Sergio Garcia, on four over, and Bubba Watson, who was six over, were other big names to exit. Previous Claret Jug winners Ernie Els (seven over), Padraig Harrington (eight over), Todd Hamilton (nine over) and Darren Clarke, dead last on 23 over after rounds of 82 and 83, also missed the cut.