Anirban Lahiri finally found some form on American soil as he carded his best round of the past few weeks here with a three-under 69, but it was still not enough to keep him around for the weekend for the Shell Houston Open.
The 27-year-old world number 33 trying to find his feet in the US, finished his 36 holes at one-under 143, but the cut fell at four-under 140. Lahiri shot two-over 74 on the first day.
"But it has been a great learning experience as I prepare for various challenges on the PGA Tour," said Lahiri, who has been getting a lot of attention and media exposure on the PGA Tour.
Lahiri was extremely steady in his second round and went through the front nine at the Golf Club of Houston in one-under with seven pars from first to seventh before finding his first birdie.
Another three pars meant he was one-under for 12 holes after which he birdied the 13th and 15th and parred the 14th in between to go to three-under with three holes left.
He bogeyed for the first time in the day at par-three 16th and then quickly got back that with a birdie on 17th and parred the closing hole for a well-played 69.
Meanwhile at the top, Andrew Putnam made a late charge to move past three-time Masters champion Phil Mickelson and take a one-shot lead at the halfway stage.
The 26-year-old Putman, who made his debut as a PGA TOUR professional here a year ago, birdied six of his final nine holes on the front side for a 7-under 65. He was at 12-under 132.
Mickelson, who won the event in 2011, shot 67 for a share of second place at 133. Another late finisher, qualifier Austin Cook, matched Putnam with a 65 to tie Mickelson. Graham DeLaet (67) and Luke Guthrie (68) were tied for fourth at 134.
Six players are in the next group, another shot back, including 21-year-old Jordan Spieth -- who came in at a career-best number four 4 in the World Golf Ranking. Spieth, who had a win and a second place in his two previous starts, shot a 66.
Scott Piercy, who had a two-shot lead after a tournament course record-tying 63 in the first round, had a 74.
