MAMARONECK, New York, 17 June 2006 — Steve Stricker holed out from the bunker at his final hole yesterday to complete a 69 that gave him the US Open second-round lead and likely helped send Tiger Woods packing.
Stricker had a 36-hole total of one-under 139, and with the 7,264-yard, par-70 Winged Foot West course still refusing to yield to the world’s best golfers, his nearest rivals in the clubhouse were Fred Funk (75) and Colombia’s Camilo Villegas (72) on six-over 146.
Woods, returning to competition after a nine-week layoff during which his father died, struggled through a round that included two double-bogeys, one birdie and three bogeys — including two in a row to cap the round. He appeared all but certain to miss the cut and end a streak of 39 consecutive cuts made in major championships. The top 60 players and all those within 10 shots of the lead advance, and Woods himself was resigned to an early exit.
“It’s not something you want to have happen,” the 10-time major winner said.
Scotland’s Colin Montgomerie, whose one-under 69 made him the only player to break par on Thursday, was scheduled to tee off at 1:58 (17:58 GMT). Montgomerie finished the first round one shot in front of five players on even-par 70, a group that included Masters champion Phil Mickelson.
Mickelson was to tee off at 1:25 (17:25 GMT) as he pursued his quest for a third straight major title, after his Masters win in April and his PGA Championship triumph last August.
Among the others who started the day sharing second, England’s David Howell had ballooned to six-over through 16 holes, Spain’s Miguel Angel Jimenez was four-over through 16.
After the first round, Mickelson predicted an over par score would win the tournament.
“Even is a good score,” said Mickelson. “I happen to think over par is going to win it, because I suspect the course will play harder and faster as the week wears on, making the greens tougher to hit to, to chip to, and to putt on.”
