Dustin Johnson, Gary Woodland, Bubba Watson miss cut at Rocket Mortgage Classic

Detroit — Three of the biggest names in the field won't be three of the biggest names in the field on the weekend. They won't be here at all.

Reigning U.S. Open champion Gary Woodland and world No. 2 Dustin Johnson, another former U.S. Open champion, missed the 36-hole cut at the Rocket Mortgage Classic, both finishing at 2 under through two rounds — three shots below the cut line. And Bubba Watson, the former Masters champion, also missed it, at 1 under.

And just like that, three of the best four parking spots in the main Detroit Golf Club lot just opened up for the weekend. (Rickie Fowler has the other one.)

The cut line was 3 under early Friday and despite windy conditions in the afternoon, it dropped two more shots at birdie-crazed DGC.

Woodland, playing for the first time since his first major win two weeks ago at Pebble Beach, really struggled early Thursday when he was 5 over at one point. He rallied to get it to 73, 1 over, and then played better Friday, with a 3-under 69. It wasn't enough.

ROCKET MORTGAGE CLASSIC LIVE SCORING

"I felt a lot better today," said Woodland, who made eight birdies, but five bogeys, in his second round. "Yesterday, I think I was a little hyped up. Today was much more under control. I just was a little off with the game.

"The crowds, the golf course, everything was great this week. The energy. Nice having a new tournament and getting the support that they have. Unfortunately, I won't be here, but they should have a great weekend."

As for Johnson, he was inside the projected cut line, at 3 under, standing on the tee at No. 8, his 17th hole of the day. But he hit his drive way right and out of bounds and made bogey. He couldn't make birdie on No. 9, and shot a second consecutive 71, putting him at 2 under, as well.

"It wasn't very good," Johnson said. "It just seemed like every time I hit a bad shot, it was in the wrong spot and made bogey. Just made way too many bogeys (and doubles, too; he had two of those Thursday). My good shots were really good, just the bad ones, you know, every time I made bogey."

Johnson and Woodland (No. 12) were the highest-rated players in the world golf rankings in this week's field. Watson, world No. 22, saw things blow up at the par-5 14th, where he found Lake Andrew with his second shot, leading to bogey. Two more bogeys followed at 15 and 16, and, despite a birdie at 17, that was that.

Also going home was Chez Reavie, world No. 26, last week's winner at the Travelers Championship who was only two strokes off the lead after Round 1, but shot a 78 in Round 2 and finished 1 under.

The highest-ranked player to make the cut here was Fowler (14th), who's at 8 under. Patrick Reed, world No. 25, shot a second straight 68 and also was at 8 under, well inside the cut, but six shots off the leader, Nate Lashley.

tpaul@detroitnews.com

Twitter: @tonypaul1984