Mickelson, Stenson, Montgomerie miss halfway cut

CARNOUSTIE (Reuters) - World number two Phil Mickelson was the most high-profile casualty of the halfway cut at the British Open on Friday.

The 37-year-old American slumped to a double-bogey six at the infamous closing hole at Carnoustie to finish with a six-over 77 and 148, six over par.

Mickelson also lost a shot under penalty at the second hole after a wild swipe into the dunes.

The triple major champion attempted to get a free drop because his ball was plugged but was denied relief.

"It was an embedded ball and this is the only week of the year that it has got to be in a closely-mown area to get relief," Mickelson told reporters.

"But I just didn't putt well enough. I've missed a lot of cuts lately. I better get better."

Two of the players who featured in the three-way British Open playoff here in 1999, home winner Paul Lawrie and American Justin Leonard, also missed the cut on 147.

The other, Jean Van de Velde of France, is absent this week.

Lawrie found the 'Barry Burn' at the 18th on Friday, as Van de Velde infamously did eight years ago, to run up a costly double-bogey six.

The biggest problem for Leonard, who won this title in 1997, was a double-bogey at the ninth.

Eight-times European number one Colin Montgomerie and world number seven Henrik Stenson of Sweden were other cut casualties.

Former major winners John Daly, Davis Love III, David Toms, Nick Faldo and Tony Jacklin also missed out.

While Faldo was undecided if he would play in next year's British Open, it is likely to be the 63-year-old Jacklin's farewell appearance.