Portrush (United Kingdom) (AFP)

Tiger Woods, who was crowned at the Masters in April for the 15th time in his Grand Slam career after 11 years of scarcity, was eliminated at the British Open in the company of Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy, who despite seven Birdies, Friday, in the 2nd round, missed at once the "cut" by the fault of a bogey conceded to the 13th.

After the second round, American JB Holmes and Irishman Shane Lowry lead the final Grand Slam of the year, one step ahead of the British Tommy Fleetwood and Lee Westwood.

Holmes, 37, whose best result at the Open was third in 2016, returned a card of 68 after an initial 66 for a total of 134, or 8 under par. He was joined by Lowry, 32, and 9th in the British in 2014, who returned a 67 as Thursday.

American Brooks Koepka, N.1 world and already winner of four majors, is in ambush at -5 (137), along with his compatriot Jordan Spieth, three majors in the charts including a British in 2017.

- "Frustrating" -

As for Tiger Woods, 37, after a 78 the day before he returned a good 70, for a total of 148 (+6), insufficient to pass the "cut" set to +1.

"It's frustrating above all because it's a major and I love playing these competitions, I like the atmosphere and stress of a major, but unfortunately I only had one chance to win one, and I did it, "responded the" Tiger ", 21st at the US Open and also eliminated at the PGA Championship.

With a total of 148, after a catastrophic first round (78, +7), Tiger Woods, triple winner of the Open in 2000, 2005 and 2006, humorously pointed out that he could no longer "play as well at 43". years old than 23 ".

"It's the hardest thing to accept when you get older, things get different, but I'll still have a chance, and if she shows up I'll win again," the US champion said. he was going to take some rest.

"I want to go home, I had a long trip to Thailand (on vacation) before getting ready for this event, there were a lot of hotel changes, a lot of flying ...", he said revealing he felt a pain in his back on Thursday. Which led him to change his swing.

- Beautiful McIlroy -

Tiger Woods had been operated on four backs in April 2017 and had fallen to 1100th in the world rankings. He is currently 5th world player.

Rory McIlroy, crowned "king" of the British in 2014, fought with rage and almost succeeded in his attempt to stay in the race this weekend. With seven birdies, including three in a row between holes 10 and 12, he was in the "cut", but a bogey at 13 eliminated him for a shot (+2).

"I did my best and, if that were not enough, I will sleep quietly Sunday night," said the North Irishman, author of a first nightmare tour (quadruple bogey at the 1st hole, a triple at the last ).

Defending champion Francesco Molinari narrowly saved his place with a total of 143 (+1).

In addition to Woods and McIlroy, an impressive number of former winners of the Open or other Grand Slam stages have bitten the dust: Keegan Bradley, Jason Day, Zach Johnson, Gary Woodland, crowned at the last US Open, Phil Mickelson, and Ireland's Darren Clark and Padraig Harrington, among others.

© 2019 AFP