Golf: Campbell, Tiger set to miss cut

MAMARONECK, New York - Briton Kenneth Ferrie grabbed the lead in the second round of the US Open this morning while defending champion Michael Campbell and world number one Tiger Woods looked to be on the way home.

Ferrie, who began the day two shots back after an opening one-over-par 71, made three birdies on his outward nine to push past compatriot Colin Montgomerie and American Steve Stricker into the lead at two under par at Winged Foot.

New Zealander Campbell shot a 77 to add to his first round 75 for a 12 over par 5 152.

Woods failed to reverse his fortunes after an opening 76, duplicating that six-over-par performance with a round that included two double bogeys and three bogeys against a lone birdie.

New Zealand's only other player Phil Tataurangi, a late starter, was one under after six but his first round 86 meant he had no chance of making the cut which was projected at nine over par midway through the second round.

The top 60 players and all those within 10 shots of the lead qualify for the weekend rounds.

The 27-year-old Ferrie, twice a winner on the European Tour, was making the most of his first major in the United States even after missing the cut in his previous event, the Wales Open.

Stricker, a 39-year-old American who has finished outside the top 150 in earnings on the US Tour the last three years, was in the clubhouse at 139, while overnight leader Montgomerie, still hunting for his first major title, parred his first four holes on Friday to remain at one under.

Stricker holed out from a greenside bunker to complete his second-round 69, only the second sub-par round in the tournament so far.

"Truthfully, I was just trying to get it on the green. I caught it perfect and got fortunate," said Stricker.

Australian Geoff Ogilvy shot an even-par 70 to stand at one-over 141. Former US Open champion Jim Furyk also stood at one-over after seven holes of his second round.

Phil Mickelson, the Masters and PGA champion who had posted a opening 70, bogeyed his first two holes and stood at two over par through his first seven holes on Friday.

Others at two over par included Graeme McDowell of Northern Ireland (through eight holes), Canadian Mike Weir (5), and Rod Pampling of Australia (3).

Conditions proved difficult for the 156-man field at Winged Foot where the narrow fairways were firming up and the small, heavily contoured greens were drying out and becoming less receptive to approach shots.

"It never lets up out there," said Stricker. "You have to keep grinding the whole way round." Woods would not blame the residual effects of time spent mourning the passing of his father, Earl, when quizzed about his disappointing play.

Asked what was next for the world number one, Woods replied: "Practice. Hopefully I can win the British Open."

- REUTERS