Masters champions Danny Willett and Bubba Watson found some of the old Augusta magic at rain-lashed Troon to make the cut

MASTERS champions Danny Willett and Bubba Watson found some of the old Augusta magic at rain-lashed Troon to make the cut by the skin of their teeth.
Willet looked like slipping to five over par – one to many to be around for the weekend - when he sliced his drive into a bunker at the last and was forced to splash out sideways.

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But the reigning Masters champion hit his third to 15 feet and drained a slippery putt to avoid packing his bags early.
Double Augusta winner Watson went in for even more brinkmanship. A wild tee shot at the par three 17th meant he was five over playing the last – but he conjured up a brilliant birdie to claw his way to the safety mark.

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There were plenty of big name casualties though, headed by Shane Lowry and Scott Piercy, joint runners-up at last month’s US Open.
Lowry’s gritty second round 71 could not repair the damage of an opening 78, while Piercy – poised for a Ryder Cup debut in September – crashed to a ten over par 81, to finish on 16 over.

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But that was still five shots better than 1985 Open champion Sandy Lyle. He finished last of the 154 players who completed the first 36 holes with of 85-78.

Jordan Spieth was left waiting if he would make the weekend after finishing on four over - just inside the projected cut.