Korean-born Australian Lee Won-joon expects to be an unpopular guy after defying the gathering gloom to put Colin Montgomerie, Paul Lawrie, Justin Leonard, Henrik Stenson and six others out of the Open at Carnoustie.

Lee was in the final group and had to avoid a double-bogey six on the 499-yard par-four 18th to make the halfway cut four over par, rather than five over.

The Sydney-based golfer missed the green to the right but chipped on and two-putted.

It was 9.18pm by then and it was only then that Lawrie, winner on the course in 1999, Montgomerie, the course record holder, Leonard, beaten in the play-off eight years ago, and the others discovered their fate.

Acting as Lee's caddie was Englishman Pete Coleman, who for many years worked for Bernhard Langer.

"Peter told me he didn't want me to go to five over because it would bring in a few other guys," Lee joked.

"So we made sure I was going to make five. I wouldn't go around telling anyone. There will probably be a big mob at the first tee!"

For Montgomerie it was a fifth straight missed cut in major championships since blowing his chance to win last year's US Open at Winged Foot.

"I'm disappointed obviously. I didn't play well but I battled well and played the last five holes in one under par, which is as good as it gets," said the 44-year-old.

"It wasn't easy. I played well on Thursday but didn't putt well."

Asked where he would be with a combination of first-round ball-striking and second-round putting, Montgomerie said: "I would be leading. But I'm not."