Mickelson goes close again

By Matt Slater
BBC Sport at Royal Troon

Sunday's photos

Phil Mickelson's brave challenge to win a second major title this season fell just short when his birdie charge faltered on Royal Troon's back nine.

The Masters champion was tied for the lead on nine under until a bogey at the 13th - his first in 50 holes - dropped him into second place.

The popular American recovered the shot at the 16th but it wasn't enough.

Mickelson, however, can now add a third place at the Open to his runner-up finish at last month's US Open.

The left-hander was proud of the way he battled back after a poor 73 in the first round.

I just could not quite manage enough birdies to make up the ground Phil Mickelson

He said: "To miss out by a shot is certainly disappointing.

"But I felt after the first day it would have been a lot to get into contention and I played three very good rounds, making only one bogey.

"I just could not quite manage enough birdies to make up the ground. It was a tough thing to come back from though."

Retief Goosen, the man who beat Mickelson at the US Open, failed in his bid to win a third straight tournament when his final-round 73 dropped him out of contention at Royal Troon.

The South African came to Scotland after back-to-back wins and was well-placed to mount a challenge on Sunday.

But Goosen never really recovered from a bogey at the first and ended up in a tie for seventh on four under.

His only birdie came at the fourth, and there were more bogeys at nine and 11.