Simpson leads; Woods misses Greenbrier cut

Associated Press

white sulphur springs, w.va.

One week after he won for the third time this season, Tiger Woods gets a rare weekend off.

Woods missed the cut in the Greenbrier Classic by a stroke Friday, following an opening 71 with a 69 to finish at even par. He missed a cut for only the ninth time in his PGA Tour career, and for the third time in a tournament following a victory.

After winning Sunday at Congressional, Woods was on a course he’d never seen before.

“I didn’t quite have it,” Woods said. “I drove it really good today and I just did not have the feel for the distances. The ball was just going forever. I know we’re at altitude, but I just couldn’t get the ball hit pin high no matter what I did, and subsequently, I made some bogeys.”

Phil Mickelson also failed to advance to weekend play, the first time Woods and Mickelson have missed the cut in the same tournament as professionals.

Mickelson shot his second straight 71.

U.S. Open champion Webb Simpson topped the leaderboard at 9 under when play was suspended because of darkness in the round that was delayed because of rain.

Simpson made a 6-foot birdie putt on the par-3 18th for a 4-under-66.

A dozen players were unable to complete the round.

Woods believes his distance control will be easy to work on heading to the British Open, which starts July 19 at Royal Lytham and St. Annes.

“Yeah, because it’s not going to be this warm and we’re not going to be at altitude. We’ll be on the beach,” he said.

After the rain delay, Woods had bogeys at Nos. 10 and 11 to fall to 3 over, then made three birdies down the stretch but missed two other tries from inside 12 feet.

Mickelson had focused more on golf at this year’s tournament after taking advantage of the resort’s numerous amenities with his family last year. The result was the same.

“I really enjoy the golf course,” he said. “I don’t get it. I mean, I certainly struggled a little bit on the greens both years, but nothing that should have led to these scores.”

He has gone seven consecutive rounds over par and hopes his game improves.

“I certainly am looking forward to links golf,” Mickelson said. “I enjoy playing the ball on the ground and hitting it — you know, trying to keep it below head high on some tee shots and so forth. That was fun last year when we had some terrible weather. And it will hopefully play to one of my strengths, which is short game, and I’ll try to get that sharp heading into the British.”