Tiger Woods misses only second major cut as a pro

By Tony Jimenez

TURNBERRY, Scotland (Reuters) - World number one Tiger Woods struggled to a 74 in Friday's second round at the British Open to miss the cut in a major championship for only the second time as a professional.

The 33-year-old American, hunting a 15th major victory, suffered a torrid run either side of the turn before posting a five-over total of 145, a stroke outside the cut.

A heavy favourite to lift the Claret Jug for a fourth time, Woods was one under for the day for the first seven holes before winds of up to 25-mph (40-kph) blew him off track on Turnberry's Ailsa Course.

He dropped seven strokes in six holes from the eighth but partially recovered with back-to-birdies on 16 and 17 before getting up and down from just off the green to save par at the last.

"I was one under after seven holes and right there in the championship and had a few tough holes in a row and couldn't get it back," Woods told BBC television.

BAD SHOTS

"I hit a couple of bad shots ... it was just problem after problem. If I could have just played those holes well I'd be fine, coming home downwind I could make some birdies coming in.