HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. – This Lowcountry region by the ocean, the famous lighthouse looming over the pristine land, offers the ideal locale for players to decompress after playing the Masters.
The links of Harbour Town, the southern hospitality, the laid-back nature, beaches, the cool breezes, top-scale restaurants, and ample opportunities to cast a line and float away the time on a boat makes many wanting to never leave.
Unfortunately, there comes the 36-hole cut.
And with the winds whipping cross Harbour Town, especially in Friday’s second round, it was not an easy walk around the tree-lined property. And after two rounds, some of the game’s biggest names, including Dustin Johnson, Rickie Fowler and Cameron Smith, will miss the weekend.
The cut came at even-par 142, with 71 players advancing to the third round.
Among those who made the cut on the number were past champions Graeme McDowell, Webb Simpson, Stewart Cink and Brian Gay.
World No. 6 Patrick Cantlay birdied his final four holes to take the lead at 9 under.
Here are those who missed the cut.
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Dustin Johnson
Dustin Johnson sets up a putt during the first round of the RBC Heritage golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: David Yeazell-USA TODAY Sports
The former World No. 1 fought his driver and then his putter with rounds of 72-71. Johnson came into the RBC Heritage playing well, losing in the semis of the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play and tying for 12th in last week’s Masters. But after dominating the 2020 season, Johnson has yet to add to his PGA Tour victory total since winning the 2020 November Masters.
Cameron Smith
Cameron Smith on the green during the first round of the RBC Heritage golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: David Yeazell-USA TODAY Sports
The Players champion, who was one shot out of the lead with 16 holes to play in last week’s Masters, said he never got a handle on the small greens at Harbour Town and fell one shot shy of making the weekend with rounds of 73-70.
Morgan Hoffmann
Morgan Hoffmann looks on from the 15th hole during the first round of the 2022 RBC Heritage at Harbor Town Golf Links in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. (Photo: Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
The feel-good story of the week didn’t have the happiest ending as the former World No. 1 amateur, playing in a PGA Tour event for the first time in 923 days, had his chances but came up one-shot short with rounds of 71-72. Diagnosed with muscular dystrophy in 2017, Hoffmann has two starts remaining on his medical exemption to earn full playing status for the rest of the season.
Rickie Fowler
Rickie Fowler plays his shot on the sixth hole during the second round of the RBC Heritage at Harbor Town Golf Links on April 15, 2022 in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
The struggles continue for the fan favorite and former top-10 player who counts The Players Championship among his titles. This is the fifth missed cut this year for Fowler, who shot 76-74; his best finish among his other three starts is a tie for 42nd. Fowler remains confident in the changes he’s making to his swing that began more than two years ago.
Davis Love III
Davis Love III plays his shot from the 13th tee during the second round of the RBC Heritage at Harbor Town Golf Links on April 15, 2022 in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
The five-time RBC Heritage winner was in fine shape after a 70 in the first round. He then started his second round with two birdies but bogeyed six of his final 16 holes – including his last three – to shoot 70-75.
Kevin Kisner
Kevin Kisner watches a tee shot during the second round of the RBC Heritage golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: David Yeazell-USA TODAY Sports
The world No. 27, who had four top 10s in nine starts this year heading into the RBC Heritage, including losing in the final of the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play to World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, bogeyed his last hole to miss by one.
Matt Fitzpatrick
Matthew Fitzpatrick of England plays his shot on the ninth hole during the second round of the RBC Heritage at Harbor Town Golf Links on April 15, 2022 in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
The World No. 23 had played well in his three previous starts heading into the RBC Heritage and the course seemed to fit his style of play. But the Brit, after a solid 70 in the first round, was done in with a triple-bogey 6 on the treacherous par-3 14th when his tee ball found the water.
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