Atwal misses cut at Canadian Open

Oakville (Canada):

Even a flawless five-under 67 could not save Arjun Atwal as he missed the cut by a stroke in the rain-hit RBC Canadian Open golf tournament here.

The Orlando-based Indian, who was left stranded at the 18th hole after lightening forced suspension of play in the second round, needed a birdie to be inside the cutline that came at three-under.

But he could only par the final hole. Atwal finished with a total of two-under 142 at the Glen Abbey Golf Club where heavy showers forced tour officials to postpone the third round until on Sunday.

Atwal, who had retund a disastrous 75 in the opening round, made a sensational but ultimately futile turnaround in the second round.

He struck a hat-trick of birdies between the third and fifth holes before striking a hole-in-one on the 15th.

At the top, American Jason Dufner jumped into a one-stroke lead after 63 in the second round which left his total at 13-under 131. Compatriots Jerry Kelly (67) and Scott Verplank (67) were tied for the second spot.