The 154th Open Championship at Royal Birkdale is underway, but several high-profile golfers, including Masters and US Open champions, are not competing on the final day after missing the cut. Justin Rose, Matt Fitzpatrick, Aaron Rai, Wyndham Clark, Jordan Spieth, Cameron Smith, Brian Harman, and Padraig Harrington all failed to advance past the first two rounds. Additionally, James Nicholas withdrew due to a foot injury.
Justin Rose's Disappointment
Justin Rose shot a second-round 68 after a first-round 75, finishing at three-over-par, one stroke above the cut line. “I fought as hard as I possibly could,” Rose said. “I think the overriding emotion is disappointment because I want it all. I want to play two more rounds. Not just that, I want to be in contention, I want to win the tournament. The course is fantastic, the weather is incredible and the crowd are a sensation out there. Not being able to enjoy two more rounds is a feeling of disappointment.”
Fitzpatrick and Other Major Winners Falter
Matt Fitzpatrick, the 2022 US Open champion, also missed the cut after rounds of 75 and 73. “I've hit decent shots, gotten no luck and come away with 4-over par,” Fitzpatrick said. “That's the way links golf is. You need to have that rub of the green sometimes, and I didn't have it this week. I didn't feel like I hit many bad shots all week. It's a golf course that's just awkward when it plays like this.”
This season's US PGA Championship winner Aaron Rai and US Open champion Wyndham Clark also failed to make the weekend. Clark ended three over after a round of 70 that included a birdie-birdie-eagle finish. Jordan Spieth, the 2017 Open winner at Birkdale, missed the cut after shooting 77 and finishing 10 over. Other recent Open champions who departed early include Cameron Smith, Brian Harman, and Padraig Harrington.
James Nicholas Withdraws Due to Injury
James Nicholas was forced to withdraw from the championship on Friday due to a foot injury. He had been due to start his second round after shooting a 75 in the first round. The R&A released a statement: “James Nicholas, who was part of the first group on Thursday and carded a five-over-par 75, has withdrawn from The 154th Open due to a foot injury. Matthew Baldwin and Thomas Detry will begin as a pairing at 11.41am.”
