GOLF/US PGA Championship latest:A closing double bogey six sent Pádraig Harrington crashing out of the final major of the year today — and could have a massive impact on Europe's Ryder Cup team.
With Luke Donald and Justin Rose among those who also missed the cut at a fog-free Whistling Straits and with Paul Casey well down the field, captain Colin Montgomerie could be faced with a huge dilemma for his three wild cards in two weeks.
That looks like time for the situation to change, but all four want to stay in America rather than return to Europe for the last two qualifying events there.
Harrington, winner two years ago, had made a brilliant recovery from his opening 75, but all the hard work was undone when, distracted by a photographer, he hit his second shot into the hazard short of the 18th green.
From there he took a penalty drop, pitched 10 feet past the flag and missed the bogey putt.
With a 71 for a two over aggregate he then waited to learn his fate — and an hour later it was confirmed he was out by a shot.
“It’s very disappointing, but it would be silly to think that my last shot is going to cost me my place,” said Harrington. Even if he gets a pick, though, it could have cost somebody else their spot.
“The Ryder Cup does come first. I made out my schedule to peak for the four majors and the Ryder Cup and I’m going to stick with it. If I get picked I want to be ready to play.”
With half the field continuing their second rounds at 7am following two days of fog delays, there was the possibility Tiger Woods could be a casualty of the cut as well when he resumed with a bogey on the seventh.
But the world number one came back with birdies at the 10th, 14th and 17th for a 70 and three under aggregate that left him joint 22nd on three under — five adrift of Matt Kuchar, one ahead of fellow American Nick Watney.
Woods, who pulled off a spectacular shot onto the final green from a fairway bunker, said: “I’m not hitting it well here, but I’m putting well and I’m right in the ball game.”
Leading Europeans at halfway were Rory McIlroy and England’s Simon Khan in a tie for fifth on five under, while Scot Stephen Gallacher — making a cut in a major for the first time — was one further back after a 69.