Two months removed from becoming the oldest major champion in golf history, Phil Mickelson’s Thursday at the Open Championship was far more forgettable.
Mickelson shot 80 in his first round at Royal St. George’s in Sandwich, England, and at 10-under was tied for last in the field of 156 golfers. According to the Golf Channel broadcast, it was Mickelson’s worst career round at the Open in 27 starts.
Shooting 40 going out and 40 coming in, Mickelson failed to make a single birdie Thursday. He was already shaping up for a dreadful final score before making double bogey on No. 18.
Mickelson only hit eight greens in regulation and averaged 1.94 putts per hole.
Mickelson, 51, won the PGA Championship in a stunner in May for his sixth career major title. Though he caught lightning in a bottle that week, he has not finished inside the top 60 in four starts since.
In that time, he also squeezed an exhibition into his schedule, participating in the latest installment of “The Match” with Bryson DeChambeau, Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers in Montana before he flew to England.
“Lefty” won the Claret Jug in 2013 and nearly earned his second in 2016, when he placed second after a Sunday duel with Sweden’s Henrik Stenson.
Australian Deyen Lawson tied Mickelson at 10 over.
–Field Level Media