By SAM WEINMAN
The (Westchester, N.Y.) Journal News

TROON, Scotland - A half-empty grandstand, a smattering of applause, and then, after tapping in for par, an exasperated wave. Just like that for Ben Curtis, it was over.

A year ago at Royal St. George's, the bleachers around 18 were overflowing as Curtis rolled in a par putt that ended up clinching the British Open. Now here he was in the second round at Royal Troon, his face unshaven, his eyes red, with little reason to celebrate. At 7-over par after Friday's 74, Curtis is the first defending champion since Paul Lawrie to miss the cut at the Open, a frustrating performance for a player still trying to validate his win from a year before.

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But Curtis maintains he wasn't trying to look at this week that way. Having adapted even more to links golf - his appearance in last year's Open was his first trip to the British Isles - he said he probably felt more comfortable here than anywhere else. But while struggling with his putter, the 27-year-old couldn't generate any momentum on the greens.

"I didn't treat the tournament any differently," he said. "Obviously I felt better this year than last year. But it's a different golf course, a different week. Things happen. Unfortunately for me, I just didn't play as well as I'd like."

Even after an opening-round 75, Curtis said he felt like he had a chance to make the cut. But when he made bogeys on two of his first three holes on the back nine, Curtis knew he was running out of time.

"You don't think about missing the cut, but obviously coming down the last three or four holes, I was trying to make some birdies and play for the weekend," he said. "But I didn't try to press it. I never have."

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Monty Holds Steady: Another day, another impressive round by Colin Montgomerie, who moved to 4-under par after a second consecutive 69. Then again, it could have been better. Mongtomerie three-putted the 18th green for a bogey, but is still only three shots off the lead.

"I've done well, as sort of well as I was expecting to do, to be honest," Montgomerie said. "I know this course as well as anybody, and I'll do OK at the weekend, I'm sure."

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Jack Will Be Back: Jack Nicklaus isn't competing this week at Royal Troon, but Friday he said he plans to be back next year, when the Open will be played at the Old Course at St. Andrews. Although the Open that year was originally scheduled to be held at Royal Liverpool, the Royal and Ancient Golf Club moved St. Andrews up a year for Nicklaus, who won the 1970 Open at the Old Course and who will no longer be eligible to play in the event once he turns 66 in 2006.

"It will be my last chance," Nicklaus said. "The R & A paid me a very nice compliment when they adjusted the year and I think it would be a slap in the face if I didn't or wasn't able to play. If I'm able, I'll be back."

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Better Late Than Never: That Kenny Perry seems on his way to another impressive Open finish is pretty remarkable, given the 44-year-old veteran missed 12 straight events here between 1991 and 2003. Perry is at 3-under par after a 70 Friday, and said he laments his decision to skip so many Opens.

"When I look back I can kick myself because I've had so much fun whenever I've come over here the last couple of years," he said. "I didn't realize what I was missing. I kind of got lost in what I was doing in my life. And now, I just want a little piece of history."

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Chip shots: Seventy-three players made the cut at 3-over par 145 or better. Among those players headed home: Jim Furyk (4-over), Padraig Harrington (5-over), John Daly (6-over), Sergio Garcia (6-over), and Thomas Bjorn (11-over)

The most intriguing pairing Saturday is sure to be Tiger Woods and Adam Scott at 8:55 a.m. ET. While working with Woods' former swing coach Butch Harmon, Scott has modeled his swing after Woods'.