OLYMPIA FIELDS, Illinois, 15 June 2003 — Europe’s undistinguished record at the US Open over the last 30 years was highlighted on Friday when only 10 players from that continent made the second-round cut at three-over 143.
Although the rain-softened greens at Olympia Fields Country Club were receptive to attacking golf and the halfway cut was the lowest in the tournament’s history, European golfers have, by and large, failed to shine over the first two days.
Among those missing out on weekend play were former major champions Jose Maria Olazabal (144), Paul Lawrie (149) and Nick Faldo (150), as well as 25-year-old Briton Paul Casey, widely regarded as one of the emerging talents in the global game.
Best of the Europeans at the tournament’s halfway mark was Sweden’s Fredrik Jacobson, tied for fifth after scores of 69 and 67, with Northern Ireland’s Darren Clarke and German Alex Cejka next best at one-under 139.
The others Europeans to make the cut were Germany’s Bernhard Langer (on 140), Britain’s Justin Rose and Irishman Padraig Harrington (141), Spaniard Sergio Garcia, Swede Niclas Fasth, Scot Colin Montgomerie and England’s Brian Davis.
Briton Tony Jacklin was the last European to win a US Open, at Hazeltine National in 1970, and the likes of Harrington and Faldo were under no illusions as to the size of their task at Olympia Fields this week.
