Tiger Woods' much anticipated return to the PGA Tour after an absence of 17 months ended prematurely with a missed cut at Torrey Pines in San Diego.
Tiger Woods practicing his swing during round two at Torrey Pines. Photo: Getty
After struggling to a four-over 76 with a rusty display in the opening round on the more difficult South Course, Woods followed up with an even 72 on the revamped North layout to finish four shots outside the cutline.
The 41-year-old's comeback followed two back surgeries and a lengthy rehabilitaion.
While his form was in much better shape on day two after he had repeatedly leaked shots out to the right the day before, Woods is a shadow of the player who has won the PGA Tour event at Torrey Pines a record seven times, and also the 2008 U.S. Open at the same venue.
"It's frustrating not being able to have a chance to win the tournament," Woods told reporters after mixing two birdies with two bogeys to finish at four-over 148.
"Overall, today was a lot better than yesterday. I hit it better, I putted well again. I hit a lot of beautiful putts that didn't go in. We fixed a few things while playing today, which is good, he said.
"I'm rusty. I need to get more rounds under my belt, and more playing time. That's what I am planning to do."
Justin Rose rebounded from consecutive bogeys on his back nine to preserve a one-shot lead.
Justin Rose during round one at Torrey Pines. Photo: Photosport
Rose sank a 10-foot birdie putt on his final hole to post an eight-under total of 136,
Olympic champion Rose birdied two of his first 10 holes to move two strokes clear before finding the right rough off the tee at both the 14th and 15th to wind up with consecutive bogeys.
Tim Wilkinson is the only New Zealander left in the tournament after Danny Lee and Steven Alker missed the cut.
Lee carded rounds of 73 and 77 while Alker shot a miserable 80 and a 75.
Scores of 70 and 72 for Wilkinson have him at two under for the tournament in a tie for 35th, six strokes behind Rose.
Meanwhile, Auckland's Ryan Fox is in a tie for 28th after two rounds of the latest event on the European PGA tour in Qatar.
At two-under for the tournament, Fox trails the leader from Thailand, Kiradech Aphibarnrat, by six strokes.
- Reuters, RNZ
