Masters champions Danny Willett and Bubba Watson found some of the old Augusta magic at rain-lashed Troon to make the cut
There were plenty of big name casualties though, headed by Shane Lowry and Scott Piercy, joint runners-up at US Open
MASTERS champions Danny Willett and Bubba Watson found some of the old Augusta magic at rain-lashed Troon to make the cut by the skin of their teeth.
Willet looked like slipping to five over par – one to many to be around for the weekend - when he sliced his drive into a bunker at the last and was forced to splash out sideways.
But the reigning Masters champion hit his third to 15 feet and drained a slippery putt to avoid packing his bags early.
Double Augusta winner Watson went in for even more brinkmanship. A wild tee shot at the par three 17th meant he was five over playing the last – but he conjured up a brilliant birdie to claw his way to the safety mark.
There were plenty of big name casualties though, headed by Shane Lowry and Scott Piercy, joint runners-up at last month’s US Open.
Lowry’s gritty second round 71 could not repair the damage of an opening 78, while Piercy – poised for a Ryder Cup debut in September – crashed to a ten over par 81, to finish on 16 over.