The Open 2015: Phil Mickelson hits 17th tee-shot onto hotel balcony to destroy his final round charge at St Andrews

Mickelson was on course to challenge for the lead until finding the St Andrews hotel

Phil Mickelson reacts during his final round at The Open (PA)

Phil Mickelson was too busy being Phil Mickelson to notice anything around him as he mounted a typical final day charge up The Open leaderboard, but he needed to keep an eye out for the hotel on the 17th hole.

Having reached the penultimate hole in -6 to put himself on -10 for the tournament and just two off the lead, the American will have no doubt be eyeing two round-ending birdies, a share of the lead and a boat load of pressure on the leaders who were yet to start their final rounds.

Just seconds later though, he had his head in his hands after hitting his ball not in the bunker, but on the balcony, and leave himself in a whole load of trouble.

Mickelson would go on to make a disappointing and round-destroying triple bogey seven on the par-4 17th, and a par at 18 meant the ‘Old Lefty’ would have to make do with a final score of -7.

For the 2013 Open champion, a second title will have to wait.

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