An ice-cold putter did little to help Shane Lowry’s quest for some US Open form as he missed the cut by two shots in the Safeway Open in California.

The Open champion (33) was 30 feet from the flag most of the day and gave himself no birdie chances inside 12 feet. As a result, he had 34 putts as he added a one-over 73 to his opening 68 on the North Course at Silverado Resort and Spa, finishing on three-under-par.

It was a frustrating day for the Offaly man, who had struggled to find fairways on the opening day but at least made four putts between six and 15 feet.

Yesterday, he hit 16 greens in regulation but made little more than a 15 footer at his ninth hole, the par-five 18th, for his lone birdie of the day.

It was also a disappointing week for Seamus Power, who missed the cut by 10 strokes after rounds of 75 and 72.

Louisiana’s Sam Burns (24) followed a 64 with a 65 to lead by two shots on 15-under from Rookie of the Year candidate Harry Higgs, who closed out his round by holing a four-iron from 230 yards for an albatross two at the ninth.

It was the third albatross in tournament history following Morgan Hoffman (18th in round one in 2016) and Nicholas Thompson (11th in round three in 2009). 

“Yeah. I mean, there's not really much to say. I hit my 4-iron solid, it drew a little bit, landed short, rolled in the hole,” said the laidback Higgs. “I mean, what a wonderful way to end the day and also just really weird. Being the last hole, it's so final. Okay, well, cool. I hope that I can like calm down in an hour or so so I can take a nap. 

“My brother and I were joking, I was looking forward to a nap all day long and I might be too jacked up now to actually fall asleep. Yeah, no, wonderful. I mean, it was really a great day, and I've not played that front nine very well. I've got the back nine down, played the front nine fine, just haven't made enough birdies, so I figured I'd make up for it holing my second on the last.” 

Second-Round Leaderboard

Detailed scores

Sam Burns 64-65—129 (-15)

Harry Higgs 69-62—131 (-13)

Cameron Percy 64-68—132 (-12)

Russell Knox 63-69—132 (-12)

D.J. Trahan 67-65—132 (-12)

Things to Know

• In his 61st career PGA TOUR start, Sam Burns records his lowest opening 36-hole total with 129

• Burns holds his first lead/co-lead after any round on TOUR • Harry Higgs cards the first albatross of the 2020-21 PGA TOUR Season for a 10-under 62, his lowest round on TOUR

• Phil Mickelson hit 4 of 14 fairways en route to a 5-under 67 to advance to the weekend • Notable players to miss the cut: Jordan Spieth, Sergio Garcia, Brandt Snedeker, Shane Lowry •

• 5-under 139 is the lowest cut in relation to par at the Safeway Open (previous low: 3-under 141 in 2016 and 2018)

• Rocco Mediate is the only player to convert a 36-hole lead/co-lead into victory at the Safeway Open (2010)