Missing Scottish was bad move, says Mickelson

Phil Mickelson has admitted that not playing the Scottish Open for the first time since 2009 may have played a part in missing the cut at Royal Birkdale.

The 2013 Open champion can be expected back at Gullane for the warm-up event for Carnoustie next year.

He said: “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. I’ve got this week off and I’ll see if I can get it sharp for Akron (WGC-Bridgestone Invitational) and the PGA.

“I think playing a week before at the Scottish is very helpful and it may have made a difference.

“It’s hard to say but this further proves that when I don’t play the week before a major, I often am not as sharp and ready to play as I need to be.”

Mickelson’s opening 73 at Birkdale was his first round in the Open without a birdie since Carnoustie in 1999 and yesterday’s 77 left him 10 over for the tournament.

The five-time major winner, who was runner-up to Henrik Stenson last year after a thrilling duel at Royal Troon, carded four birdies, eight bogeys and a triple bogey.

He said: “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, who made just one par in a back nine of 40.

Other big names who won’t be playing this weekend include former champions Louis Oosthuizen, John Daly, Todd Hamilton, David Duval, Mark O’Meara, Sandy Lyle, Darren Clarke, Padraig Harrington and Stewart Cink, as well as the likes of Patrick Reed and Justin Thomas.