Sunday 29 April 2018 12:21, UK
Justin Spieth and Ryan Palmer missed the cut at the halfway point of the Zurich Classic of New Orleans after a closing collapse, while there were a number of other high-profile players to struggle.
The American duo, playing in the second-day foursomes format, were well placed coming down the par-five 18th at TPC Louisiana but carded consecutive double bogeys to finish their round in disappointing fashion.
Major winner Justin Thomas, playing alongside countryman Bud Cauley, and the Spanish partnership of Sergio Garcia and Rafa Cabrero Bello were also among the high-profile casualties to miss the weekend's play, with unheralded American pair Michael Kim and Andrew Putnam the clubhouse leaders.
Spieth and Palmer made a birdie at the par-five seventh before another birdie four at the 11th moved them to the eight-under mark.
Spieth hit his tee shot at the par-three 17th into the water before being forced to settle for a five and the American then hit his second shot once again into the water before the three-time major champion holed a double-bogey putt for a seven to fall one shot outside the projected cut.
Thomas also missed out on the weekend by one shot with a dropped shot at the par-four 16th proving costly after they had earlier mixed five birdies with two bogeys.
Garcia and Cabrera Bello, a potential Ryder Cup pairing for Europe at Le Golf National in September, followed an five-under par opening round with a one-over 75 which saw the Spanish duo post two gains but make three dropped shots.
Kim and Putnam are the midway pacesetters after a solid three-under 69, which included five birdies and a double-bogey, proved enough for a slender lead over the chasing pack which includes last year's runners-up Kevin Kisner and Scott Brown.
Bubba Watson and Matt Kuchar made a good move up the leaderboard with an encouraging five-under 67, with their only sour note a double-bogey at the par-four 12th, while Henrik Stenson and Justin Rose along with Graeme McDowell and Ian Poulter are a shot further back.
English pairing Tommy Fleetwood and Chris Paisley, who were three off the first round lead, struggled to replicate their first-round showing in a disappointing three-under 75, which incredibly included an ace from the European No 1 at the par-three third.
Defending champions Jonas Blixt and Cameron Smith will also miss the weekend's action after an erratic four-over 76 saw them finish at three-under - the same score as British pairing Ross Fisher and Jamie Donaldson.
Watch the Zurich Classic of New Orleans throughout the week live on Sky Sports. Live coverage continues on Saturday from 6pm.
