That Moment When You Realize You're Going To Miss The Cut At The Masters (PHOTO)

Phil Mickelson's expression told the story. Seemingly a mixture of exasperation and bemusement, the look on Mickelson's face as he walked off the 18th green at Augusta National on Friday belonged to a man who suspected he was about to miss the cut at the Masters.

"It sucks always looking at the cut line," Mickelson told reporters shortly after his 1-over 73 in the second round left him at 5-over 149 after 36 holes. "I want to be looking towards the leaderboard."

When the cut line later settled at 4-over par after two rounds, Mickelson was sent home early from the Masters for just the second time in 22 career appearances. Only the top 50 players in the competition along with anyone within 10 strokes of the leader get to keep playing into the weekend. The only other time that the three-time Masters champ missed the cut at the event was in 1997.

"It's an exciting tournament, I probably will," Mickelson responded when asked if he would watch the rest of the Masters if he missed the cut. "It'll kind of be my punishment."

While a birdie on the 18th hole would have proved enough to keep him playing, Mickelson only managed a par on the final hole he played at Augusta on Friday. The frustrating conclusion of Mickelson's turbulent second round was captured by Getty photographer Andrew Redington.