Stricker keeps cut streak alive, former champs Mickelson, Harrington not so lucky
>> SOUTHPORT: Steve Stricker kept a personal streak alive by making the cut in the British Open, the 25th major championship since 2009 that he has played on the weekend.
Former champions Phil Mickelson and Padraig Harrington weren’t as fortunate, heading home after failing to get inside the cut line of 5-over par.
Harrington came close, barely missing out on holing a chip on the final hole. Mickelson, meanwhile, added a 77 to the 73 he shot in the first round to finish 10 over.
“Unfortunately, it’s the first cut I’ve missed this year,’’ Mickelson said. “And I missed it with flair.’’
Mickelson, with brother Tim on the bag in place of former longtime caddie Jim Mackay, looked as if he might make a run at playing on the weekend when he opened with a birdie on the first hole. But a triplebogey 7 on the third hole set him back and he made four straight bogeys to open the back nine.
“It’s part of the game,’’ Mickelson said. “I don’t want to put too much stock in it, because I’ve really been hitting the ball well and playing well. So rather than dwell on two rough days here, I’ll go back home and get ready for these upcoming events.’’
The 50-year-old Stricker, who tied for 16th at both the Masters and US Open this year, has never won a major championship. He opened this one with an even-par 70, then added a 72 in blustery conditions in the second round.
Harrington, who won here the last time the Open was at Royal Birkdale in 2008, couldn’t believe the chip that would have gotten him inside the cut line didn’t go in. He finished with two 73s. “It looked like it was going in all right,’’ he said. “The story of my day.’’
NOT SO STYLISH
Justin Thomas got a lot of attention in the first round when he wore a cardigan sweater and loosely fitted tie designed by sponsor Polo Golf.
He also played well, shooting a 3-under-67 to finish the day two shots out of the lead.
He wasn’t so well dressed Friday, and he didn’t play nearly as well. Thomas, who opened with a double bogey, took a nine on the sixth hole after an adventure in the deep rough.
He tried to hack it out of the rough but his hands came off the club and the ball stayed there. He tried it again — same thing. And on the third try, he didn’t see where it went and couldn’t find the ball, leading to a penalty stroke and a drop.
Thomas would shoot 80 and miss the cut.
YOUNG TALENT
Competitive golf was not limited to Royal Birkdale this week at the British Open. There was a match down the road at Southport & Ainsdale between the 13-year-old sons of Ian Poulter and John Daly.
Luke Poulter registered a 1-up victory over Little John Daly i n eight holes.
“One was very upset when he’d come back in the house, and unfortunately that was Little John,’’ Poulter said. “But Luke was kind of rubbing it in as he took a 20 pound note from him. So poor Little John was not best-pleased.’’
American players have said that Poulter, who led the European comeback in 2012 at Medinah, gets under their skin more than anyone at the Ryder Cup. So imagine where Luke Poulter learned to rub it in. Poulter smiled.
“I’m not sure,’’ he said. “It must be his mother.’’