The Loop

Campbell makes cut, Cink, Harrington among those going home

April 09, 2010

AUGUSTA, Ga. -- Chad Campbell, who last year lost to Angel Cabrera in a three-man playoff, was trying to get back into position to win the Masters in the first round Thursday, but his haste ended up leading to a 7-over and an almost certain fate of missing the cut.

Or so it appeared.

On Friday, amid tricky, swirling winds, the native Texan took a deep breath and took his time, and hit better shots. The result was a four-under 68 tied with Ian Poulter for his best round of the day, and a stay of execution. Campbell's comeback lifted him to a tie for 40th at 3-over 147 and allowed him to make the cut on the number in the 74th Masters.

"Yeah, I was probably getting too far ahead of myself, maybe trying to hard to make sure I was going to be in contention. That's never good doing that; it's how you shoot a lot," said Campbell, who slid in a tricky 4-footer for par at the home hole to close out his round. "I really didn't do anything different. I hit it a little better and made a couple of putts. I knew if I played well I could give myself a chance, and I did."

Forty-eight players made the cut of low 44 and ties. Among those who also survived without a shot to spare was defending champion Angel Cabrera, who birdied the last after bogey at 17 to shoot 74-147 and U.S. Open champion Lucas Glover ,who carded 71-147.

Prominent players dismissed for the weekend include reigning British Open champion Stewart Cink and two time Open winner Padraig Harrington. Former Masters champions Bernhard Langer and Sandy Lyle, who each began the day under par, also missed out. Langer shot 78; Lyle blew to an 86.

Only one amateur made the cut -- 16-year-old British Amateur champion Matteo Manassero, who bogeyed two of his last three for 76 but hit the magic number of 147.

--*Dave Shedloski