British Open 2011: Graeme McDowell and 5 Golfers Who Won't Be in the Hunt

The 2011 British Open has been rough on a number of top ranked golfers. The course at Royal St George's has been wreaking havoc and demoralizing some of the best players in the world.

You know it is a tough tournament when a majority of the players atop the leaderboard are relative unknowns. The links-style course has had unpredictable winds blowing steadily since the practice rounds and the weather only looks to get worse as the weekend draws near.

Fan favorites, such as Rory McIlroy and Phil Mickelson, have played fundamental golf and have steadily paced themselves through the first two rounds. As the field dwindles due to the cut, they should be in a prime position to put themselves in contention for the Claret Jug.

Thomas Bjorn and Tom Lewis were both tied for first yesterday, but found themselves losing ground; both finished with scores over par in Round 2. This is just more evidence that the course is rough—no one can feel safe as the leader until hoisting the Jug.

An interesting story this year is the number of top golfers who possibly don’t even have a chance to play in the last two rounds due to the cut. Let’s take a look at five who might be headed home at the end of Round 2 of the 2011 British Open.

Graeme McDowell

Graeme McDowell won the 2010 US Open and is an all-around solid golfer. The Irishman was widely expected to be in contention during the 2011 British Open, but has struggled greatly so far.

He finished Round 2 with an aggregate score of five-over-par and will most likely miss the cut.

McDowell has struggled to grasp the course at Royal St George's and it has certainly been unkind to him.

Look for the No. 9 ranked golfer to use this as a learning experience and come back with a vengeance. 

Lee Westwood

Lee Westwood is the World No. 2 ranked golfer and was one of the pre-tournament favorites to capture the 2011 British Open Championship.

The Englishman has struggled in Sandwich and may fall in the rankings; he will most likely get cut with his four-over-par score.

Westwood was hoping to capture the first Major victory of his career this weekend, but will most likely be sitting on the sidelines watching.

Luke Donald

Luke Donald, the No.1 ranked golfer in the world, just might miss the cut after Round 2 of the 2011 British Open. Donald, a native of England, has never won a Major, which is a little strange for someone so highly ranked.

He could potentially lose his spot on top of the ranks if someone else near the top does well and he is cut.

Donald was the favorite to win this tournament, but won’t be playing this weekend. 

Padraig Harrington

Padraig Harrington won back-to-back British Opens in 2007 and 2008, but has struggled mightily in the 2011 Open. Harrington is currently plus-four; the projected cut is plus-three.

Royal St George's has perplexed the Irishman. He will be rooting on country-mate Rory McIlroy from the sidelines this weekend.

John Daly

John Daly was not a favorite, by any means, to be in contention this weekend, but he had a decent first round and a chance to make the cut as of Thursday.

He fell apart on Friday, however, shooting four-over to go with his two-over from the first round. With a combined six-over-par through two rounds, Daly will be going home and will not have a chance to again shock the world at the British Open.