• Greenbrier Classic, Round Two

Mickelson cut at Greenbrier - but Garcia sneaks in

ESPN staff
July 29, 2011
Sergio Garcia was surprisingly inaccurate with his irons © Getty Images
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Sergio Garcia crept in to the weekend's action by the narrowest of margins at the Greenbrier Classic thanks to a battling effort on Friday.

The Spaniard finds himself at one-over through 36 holes following a second-round 69 at the Old White TPC course.

After enduring a torrid time last season, at one point taking a break from golf to try and rediscover his love for the sport, Garcia has shown signs of recovery of late, finishing outside the top 20 just once in his last seven PGA Tour starts, which included a seventh at the US Open and ninth at the Open Championship.

But he looked all at sea during Thursday's play, particularly on the greens as he took 34 putts on his way to a forgettable 74. It was a different story on Friday, however, with just 25 strokes of the short stick helping him to four birdies.

There were also three bogeys, though - Garcia's ball-striking, usually his strongest suit, was nowhere near its usual level as he hit just 50% of his greens in regulation, and just over half of the fairways.

Phil Mickelson fought hard to make the weekend across the back nine, but his tournament is over after he finished three-over through 36 holes. The American, playing the tournament for the first time, looked dead and buried when he reached four-over - but three straight birdies between 12 and 14 gave him hope.

He coughed up another shot at 15, however, and missed a couple of 10 footers on the final two holes that would have sneaked him above the cut line. Tom Watson, playing with Mickelson, ended at six-over.

Brendon de Jonge and Webb Simpson are the joint leaders of the tournament at seven-under.

Elsewhere, England's Brian Davis, who has recorded just one top-ten finish this season, signed for a 64 to move to five-under.

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