Phil philosophical about missing cut in Open after a 77

PHIL MICKELSON shrugged off the disappointment of missing the cut for the first time at the Royal Birkdale course where he made his British Open debut in 1991.

The 47-year-old American posted a 77 yesterday, which left him 10-over-par after his firstround 73 and heading home for the first time in four outings at Southport. But Mickelson

joked he had at least missed the cut “with flair” as he became another big-name casualty of swirling wind and biting cold on England’s northwest coast. “You know, it’s just one of those things where if it starts going bad in these conditions, it’s just going to go bad. It’s not that big a deal. Unfortunately it’s the first cut I’ve missed this year and I missed it with flair,” he said.

His early departure was disappointing for the crowd expecting more derring- do from last year’s runner-up, who lost out after an epic duel with Henrik Stenson.

But Mickelson has not won a tournament since 2013, when he tamed Muirfield to take his only British Open title, and earlier this year ended his long relationship with caddie Jim ‘Bones’ Mackay, who was replaced by Mickelson’s brother Tim at Birkdale.

“What Tim did was kept it fun,” said Mickelson. “And we made the best of it. We all go through days like this. And it’s part of the game. I don’t want to put too much stock in it, because I’ve really been hitting the ball well and playing well.”

Mickelson blamed poor preparation for his disappointing showing. “I think playing a week before at the Scottish (Open) is very helpful, and it may have made a difference,” he said.

“This further proves that when I don’t play the week before a major, I oftentimes am not as sharp and ready to play as I need to be.”

● Defending champion Henrik Stenson had all his clothing for this week’s British Open stolen from his accommodation near Royal Birkdale, the Swede said in a statement yesterday.

“When I finished my round (on Thursday), I was informed that the house where I am staying had been burgled. It is obviously very special for me to be playing here in front of the fantastic Birkdale crowds as the defending Open Champion so I am going to try not to let this spoil the week in any way,” said Stension.

“I am extremely grateful that my family were not in the house at the time. As many of you know, the Claret Jug was returned to the R&A on Monday but unfortunately, along with some valuable personal items, they have taken all my clothing for the week,” he said. – Reuters