The San Diegan, with a chance to become the first golfer to shoot 62 in the 157-year history of major championship golf, had an 18-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole at Royal Troon roll around about half the hole before staying out.
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Mickelson went out in an above average 32 on the front nine (the front was playing to an average of about 33).
In the first round of the 2013 Waste Management Phoenix Open, Mickelson had a birdie putt on the final hole at TPC Scottsdale to shoot the then-sixth 59 in PGA Tour history.
Mickelson, who had been dialed in all day – particularly with his putting – had just birdied 16 and 17 to get to 8-under par on the par-71 course. “I didn’t see how it went in but after watching the TV screens I think it two or three-hopped into the hole”.
He at least hit the ball well from tee to green, calling it his best since he won by eight shots in Hawaii to start the year.
Among the higher-ranked players who had finished, Rory McIlroy posted the best score with a 2-under 69.
His playing partners could not believe it either. Ernie Els putted out ahead of Mickelson to give him his moment.
“I was 3-under on the front nine, and 3-over on the back nine, and that’s par for both”, Montgomerie said, making a reference to the gap in difficulty between the nines. I mean, nothing will match that final round at Muirfield, but it was one of the best rounds I’ve ever played. “The thing was going right to left all the way with no speed, so it’s incredible it didn’t go in”.
Instead, Mickelson had the 28th round of 63 in a major championship.
Martin Kaymer and Patrick Reed were at 66.
“I felt like it was kind of easy”, Mickelson said on the Golf Channel after his round. “If there wasn’t a curse, that ball would have been in and I would have had that 62”.
The three biggest betting favorites were among the stars that struggled most on Thursday. I don’t understand what happened. “It was a attractive day, and I took advantage of it. It was fun”.
“This was pretty heartbreaking”, said Mickelson.
“It’s the Open Championship, you know coming in here that you’re going to have to battle the elements somewhat”, said McIlroy. He missed the cut at the Masters and did the same at the U.S. Open. His late-career success at The Open has been a revelation.
Americans have provided the past six Open winners at Troon, stretching back to Arnold Palmer in 1962 and are once again threatening to continue the 54-year streak.
And it was no consolation that he shattered the Royal Troon Old Course record, which was set by Greg Norman at 64 in 1989 before being matched by Tiger Woods in 1997.
Mickelson approached the 441-yard 18th hole with a shot at a major tournament record 62.
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The 29-year-old, who played alongside Keegan Bradley of the United States and Spain’s Sergio Garcia, carded three birdies and a bogey over his first seven holes on Thursday but failed to carry the momentum forward after the turn.
