Phil Mickelson stunned after missing the cut at the Open

Four-time major winner Phil Mickelson was almost lost for words after missing only his fourth cut in 19 Open Championships.

The American carded a 78 - his fourth-worst 18-hole score in 68 rounds at The Open - to finish 11 over par.

"I don't know what to say right now," said the left-hander, who 12 months ago finished joint second.

In fact, he repeated that he did not know what to say a further four times during his four-minute interview.

A bogey and a double-bogey took him out in 37, leaving him six over for the tournament, and although a birdie at the par-three 12th raised hopes of turning things around he had two further double-bogeys and two other dropped shots on the closing holes to end his involvement early.

"I hit it solid but I didn't hit it straight and I found a lot of bunkers off the tee slightly left of my target," added the 42-year-old.

"I thought I was going to have a little bit of a better round than I did - it certainly got away from me the last six holes

"The last two months have been pretty poor to play and I'm pretty frustrated.

"I need to get better for Akron (the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational event) and the USPGA.

"I feel like I have some direction for the next week but I have a way to go...the scores are just so far off

"I'll work with Butch (Harmon, his coach) in the next week and see if I can get in a better frame of mind for the next two months because we have got some big tournaments and I have a lot of work to do in the next 10 days to be ready."

PA