Mickelson, Dustin Johnson and other big names who had nightmares at The Open
Brian Harman cruised to victory in The Open Championship - but plenty of the world's top golfers endured a frustrating time at the last major of the year.
Defending champion Cameron Smith saw his hopes of following up last year's success falter on Thursday after making five bogeys during a one-over round of 72. Rory McIlroy won The Open the last time it was at Royal Liverpool, but being was forced to save par during his opening round and was unable to mount a challenge to end his major drought.
World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler similarly struggled, standing at three over par before the weekend even began, despite coming in as one of the favourites. PGA Championship winner Brooks Koepka was also well off the pace and some way short of lifting another major this year.
Adam Scott, Danny Willett and Padraig Harrington were others who narrowly made the cut on the number. However, several other former champions faltered to the extent that they missed the weekend altogether.
Colin Morikawa
The American hardly helped his Ryder Cup chances this weekend after missing the cut by a single shot. Morikawa has not made the cut on both occasions since winning The Open in 2021 at Royal St George's.
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Those are the only two times he has missed the cut over the last three years. A top-ten finish at the Masters was the peak of his powers this year.
Dustin Johnson
Unlike Morikawa, The Open was Johnson's last chance to climb the Ryder Cup standings. However, a three over 74 on Thursday deteriorated into a ten over 81 on Friday.
It represents an unwelcome return to recent form after rebounding from disappointing showings earlier in the year to finish in a tie for tenth at the US Open.
McIlroy was not the only top player struggling at The Open ((Photo by Richard Heathcote/R&A/R&A via Getty Images))Phil Mickelson
A year that started with such promise after finishing in a tie for second at the Masters has ended meekly for Mickelson. The 52-year-old missed the cut at the US Open but was well-positioned to make the weekend after being at uneven par. However, finishing with a double and triple bogey undid all that good work.
Shane Lowry
The 2019 champion has not made the top ten since that triumph and did not come close to lifting the Claret Jug for a second time at Royal Liverpool. A seven-over tournament did for him ending a run of making the top 20 during each of the year's three majors.
Justin Thomas
Thomas is in a similar situation with a spot on Zach Johnson 's US Ryder Cup team far from certain. He is another whose chances went awry on Thursday after posting an 11-over 82 that was ultimately unsalvageable despite a decent Friday.
Missing the weekend has been a familiar feeling for Thomas after exiting early at the Masters and the US Open. Since winning last year's PGA Championship, the American has not finished in the top 30 of a major.
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