Defending champ Kaymer (77-73) misses cut in Abu Dhabi

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates -- Martin Kaymer missed the cut at the Abu Dhabi Championship on Friday, a year after he won the title for a third time by eight strokes.

Kaymer shot a 1-over 73 to leave him 6 over for the tournament. European Tour officials assured he will not be playing into the weekend.

Kaymer, who had come in as a favorite considering his past success on the course, blamed his putting, adding he "didn't have a lot of birdie chances" on Friday.

He appeared to be rebounding from his opening 5-over 77 when he had two birdies on his first nine holes. But after the turn, he had a bogey and a double bogey over the next three holes to seal his fate.

Kaymer last missed a cut at the KLM Open in November.