A year after pushing Henrik Stenson all the way in a dramatic climax to the British Open at Troon, Phil Mickelson failed to make the cut at Birkdale after a disastrous two rounds.
The American was three over par overnight and things got worse on Friday, a 77 leaving him at 10-over in total and packing his bags to go home. "It's just one of those things where if it starts going bad in these conditions, it's just going to go bad," said Mickelson. "It's not that big a deal. Unfortunately it's the first cut I've missed this year and I missed it with flair."
The 47-year-old, champion at Muirfield in 2013, failed to muster a single birdie in his opening 73, the first time that had happened to him at the Open since the first round at Carnoustie back in 1999. On Friday, he began with a birdie at the difficult first hole. That was one of four overall in his second round, but there were also eight bogeys as well as an ugly triple-bogey seven at the fourth.
"I was surprised because I really thought Thursday I was prepared. I felt like I was ready. I thought I had a good game plan. I thought my game was sharp. But obviously it wasn't," said Mickelson.
The popular left-hander lost out to Stenson by three shots 12 months ago, despite starting with a major championship record-equalling low score of 63 in the first round.
He will now turn his attentions to the World Golf Championships Bridgestone Invitational at the start of next month and then the last major of the year at Quail Hollow from August 10. "I've got this week off and I'll see if I can get it sharp for Akron and the PGA," he said.
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