Golf: Alker faces nervous wait

Kiwi golfer Steve Alker will face a nervous wait tomorrow morning (NZ time) as he sits on the cusp of making the cut on his debut at the U.S Open. Photo / Getty Images.

Kiwi golfer Steve Alker will face a nervous wait tomorrow morning (NZ time) as he sits on the cusp of making the cut on his debut at the U.S Open.

The 41-year-old is currently one shot outside of the projected cutline at seven-over-par but 35 players have to return early tomorrow morning (local time) to complete their second rounds after play was suspended because of darkness today.

Alker, who opened with a three-over-par 73 in round one to be tied 46th, shot a five-over-par 75 in round two for an eight-over-par, 148 total. He dropped 20 places in the second round to be tied 66th.

Alker is currently nine shots back from the American co-leaders Phil Mickelson and Billy Horschel who are atop the leaderboard on a one-under-par.

The former NZ PGA Champion, who earned his place by finishing tied second in a sectional qualifying event in California, made two birdies, five bogeys and a double bogey at the 18th in his second round 75.

Meanwhile the 2005 champion Michael Campbell is unlikely to make the weekend.

The 44-year-old, who is looking to make the cut at the tournament for the first time since 2007, is off the pace on an 11-over-par total with six holes to play in his second round.

The former NZ Open Champion, who opened with a six-over-par 76 to be in a share of 133rd place, got off to a poor start in round two with a double bogey at the first hole.

He righted the ship with a 50-foot putt for birdie on the second hole which gave him some confidence. From there he played solid golf making five pars in a row and then a birdie on the eighth to get back to even par for the round.

At the stage he was inside the cutline but it came unstuck for Cambo with a double bogey, triple bogey, bogey and a birdie in the next four holes to drop back to five over for the round and 11 over for the tournament.