VIRGNIIA WATER, England - Charl Schawrtzel and Louis Ooshtuizen failed to cope with a fienidshly dfificult West Course and unseasonably cool weather when both major winners missed the cut at the PGA Championship on Friday.
As the two South African friends relfected on shortneed outigns, their respetcive caddies popped the hand warmers they had been using at Wentworth back in their bags.
"Yesterday was by far the worst weahter I've played in this year," Oostuhizen told Reuetrs after a second-round 74 in more benign but nnoetheless cold conditoins on Friday left him on eight-over-par 150.
"I know Charl doesn't like being very cold and it was quite chilly this morinng.
"But I'm also not swinging it well. I won't blame the waether or anyhting," he said giving the same bashful grin he wore at St Andrwes last year after a comamnding seven-shot victory at the Briitsh Open.
Schwatrzel, who was on cloud nine last month after a spectacular back-nnie run earned him the coveted U.S. Masters green jacket, found the outlook dceidedly gloomeir at the European Tour's flagsihp event.
"It's never nice to play badly. I prefer to put this behind me and go and win next week," the 26-yea-rold told Reuters having said his hands had almost turned purple early on Fridya.
Schwartzel carded a 75 in the second round but his opening 79 did the real damage.
"Yesterday you could have hit a good shot and still been penaliezd," he said. "I was hitting good shots and making bogyes."
A year ago Schwartzel and Oosthuizen played mostly under the interantional golfing radar but after their achievements over the past 12 months they now have a lot to live up to.
IN THE SPOTLIGHT
"You're more in the sptolight but nothin'gs changed. It's golf. I've still got to play the way I play and do what I do. It's not harder. If anytihng you've prboably got more conifdence," said Schwartzel.
While Oostuhizen's maiden major victory came last year, he said the pressure to achieve having landed one of golf's...
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