Kiwis miss cut at US Open

It was a disappointing day for the small New Zealand contingent as David Smail, Doug Batty and Michael Campbell all missed the halfway cut at the US Open on Saturday.

Smail finished best of the trio after shooting a second round 77 for seven-over-par 147, three strokes too many to survive for the final two rounds at Bethpage.

Batty (74) was one stroke further back, while Campbell's recent poor form continued as he shot 79 for 16-over 156.

It's been four years since Campbell's famous victory at Pinehurst No 2, but it must seem to him like an eternity ago.

"It's a cycle I always go through," said Campbell, who has blown hot and cold his whole career, mixing periods of brilliance with long stretches of utter mediocrity.

"I've done it before. I know it seems funny but I'm not far away from playing well again."

He has bowed out early three times in four years since his Open victory, and has yet to make a cut in any tournament this year.

Smail, meanwhile, could only rue what might have been. An opening even-par 70 left him poised to make a challenge, but he never recovered after making three consecutive bogeys to start his second round.

He still had a chance to make the cut when play resumed Saturday, and helped his cause with his first shot of the day, a birdie putt from one metre at his 15th hole, the par-four sixth.

However, he bogeyed two of the final three holes to make an early exit.

The busy Smail, who only arrived from Japan on Sunday, will head straight back there for another tournament starting on Thursday.

Batty, meanwhile, can hold his head high after finishing equal 108th, not a bad performance for a guy who doesn't even have membership of any recognised tour.

The Los Angeles-based Batty emerged from obscurity to earn a spot in the field through a sectional qualifier, and the experience no doubt leaves him hungry for more.

Meanwhile, Ricky Barnes (65) took the lead at eight-under 132, a championship record low numerical halfway score.

He headed fellow American Lucas Glover by one stroke, with Canadian Mike Weir two behind.

Defending champion Tiger Woods (69) trailed by 11 strokes after enduring the unfavourable half of the draw.

-NZPA