By Golfweek
GULLANE, Scotland -- Two-time major winner Rory McIlroy and reigning U.S. Open champion Justin Rose headline those that missed the cut at the 142nd Open Championship at Muirfield on Friday.
With the cut coming at 8-over 150, 84 of the original 156-man field made the cut, the highest cut since 2008 that fell at 9 over at Royal Birkdale.
McIlroy shot an 8-over 79 on Thursday and made it clear his chances for a second-round comeback on Friday were unlikely when he commented that he was “just so brain dead," after his round.
The comeback never materialized as the Ulsterman shot 4-over 40 on the front nine and finished with a 4-over 75 on Friday, but McIlroy had a 180-degree turn in attitude and took the high road leaving Muirfield.
“Disappointed, but I guess I have a clearer picture of what I need to work on and what I need to do to put things right,” McIlroy said after his first missed cut in the Open Championship. “Sometimes this game can feel further away than it actually is. And obviously at the end of yesterday it couldn't have felt much further away. And today you played the last 11 holes like that, you see some positive signs. And you try and sort of take anything you can from that.”
STORY CONTINUES BELOW
The Open Championship: Day 2
Coming into the third major of the year, Rose was considered one of the favorites after his two-shot victory at Merion last month, but rounds of 75-77, made quick work of the recent major winner and his hopes of a second consecutive major championship.
Notable players that missed the cut included major winners David Duval, Sir Nick Faldo, Tom Watson, Jim Furyk, Mark Calcavecchia, Vijay Singh, Lucas Glover and Louis Oosthuizen who withdrew with a hip injury during Thursday’s first round.
Other notables that missed the cut was Bill Haas, Luke Donald, Rickie Fowler and Matteo Manassero.
The history of previous cuts at Muirfield at the Open Championship:
• 2002: 83 players at 144 (+2)
• 1992: 75 players at 143 (+1)
• 1987: 78 players at 146 (+4)
• 1980: 87 players at 149 (+7)
• 1972: 88 players at 152 (+10)
• 1966: 64 players at 150 (+8)
• 1959: 48 players at 148
• 1948: 36 players at 148
• 1935: 62 players at 153
• 1929: 64 players at 157
• 1912: No cut
• 1906: 72 players at 163
• 1901: 38 players at 175
• 1896: No cut
• 1892: No cut