Golf: Campbell misses cut at Masters

AUGUSTA, Georgia - New Zealand's Michael Campbell missed the cut in the US Masters second round today.

He recorded five bogeys after 10 holes and ended at five over. The cut was set at four over.

His namesake, American golfer Chad Campbell, charged to the top of the leaderboard after being four strokes off the pace overnight.


The 31-year-old fired a five-under-par 67 in gusting winds at Augusta National to finish on six-under 138.


Compatriot Rocco Mediate ground out a 73 for a share of second place with first-round leader Vijay Singh, who recovered from three double-bogeys to return a gutsy 74.


Also at three under was 1992 winner Fred Couples, 46, on course for a 71 that would allow him to make his 22nd consecutive cut at Augusta.


Two more of the game's "Big Five" were lurking in a five-way tie for fifth at two under.


World number four Phil Mickelson, the 2004 champion, bogeyed the last for a 72 while fifth-ranked Ernie Els carded a second successive 71.


"It's special to be leading after two rounds," Chad Campbell said. "Obviously, my goal is to be leading after four rounds, but it's a good start.


"This is a special place and a special tournament. I'm glad to be a part of it and glad to be playing well," said the three-times PGA Tour winner after holing a 15-foot birdie putt at the 18th.


"It's very tough out there, especially this afternoon on our back nine when the winds were swirling quite a bit."


Singh of Fiji recovery after a slide down the leaderboard that featured consecutive double-bogeys on four and five was one of the outstanding feats of the day.


"I don't think I've had back-to-back doubles in a very long time but it's very easy to do it out there," said the 2000 champion.


"I was happy that I hung in there and didn't give up. I made a good birdie on 17 and a nice two-putt for par at the last. I'm happy with my position." Left-hander Mickelson, one of the tournament favourites after romping to a 13-stroke victory at last week's BellSouth Classic, was also satisfied after offsetting four birdies with four bogeys.


"I left some shots out there but I'm in a good position heading into the weekend," he said.


"There were times when the round could have got away a little bit but I was able to keep it in check and come back with some birdies." Three-times major winner Els, who finished in the top six at Augusta every year between 2000 and 2004, liked his chances over the weekend.


"I had it going there for a while but I just played 10 really bad," said the South African, who was four under for the tournament before running up a double-bogey at the par-four 10th.


"But that's two good rounds there. I hit a lot of fairways, hit a lot of greens and made a putt here and there. I've got a chance."


World number one Tiger Woods followed his opening 72 with a 71 to climb into a share of 10th place at one under.


Chasing his fifth green jacket, the holder slipped to one over for the tournament after the first seven holes but a solid finish left him in position to challenge for an 11th career major title over the weekend.


Twice winner Ben Crenshaw made his first Masters cut in nine years, adding a 72 to his first-round 71.


"I played pretty solid in most respects," said the 54-year-old, who parred the last 14 holes after offsetting a birdie-four at the second with a bogey at the par-three fourth.


"I'm continuing to have a really nice pace and touch on my putts, and that's really helping me.


"I've had six not-so-good years around here but I've somehow proved to myself there's a way around here.


"It's been a lot of fun these two days. This has always been my favourite place," added Crenshaw, Masters champion in 1984 and 1995.


- REUTERS