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Watch how agonizingly close Phil came to major championship history

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In a heartbreaking repeat of his 2013 putt to shoot 60 at the Waste Management Phoenix Open, Phil Mickelson’s attempt at 62 at Royal Troon lipped out. Mickelson, who left himself a 20-footer at the 18th to shoot major golf’s unattainable number, saw the putt flirt with falling before staying out.

“It was right in the center of the hole with a foot to go,” Mickelson said. “I don’t know what to say.”

Indeed it was. Here’s the video evidence.

“All these highlights, and I feel like crying,” the 2013 Open winner at Carnoustie said after his round. Ultimately, Mickelson’s eight-birdie 63 left him three strokes ahead of Patrick Reed when he returned to the clubhouse.

The inspired performance saw the left-hander card a pair of birdies at 16 and 17 to give himself a shot at firing the lowest round ever in a major championship. He hit 79 percent of fairways and 89 percent of greens (16/18) for the day, needing just 23 putts to get around a mild Troon. The veteran rolled in several from distance. Here’s Mickelson’s birdie putt at the 14th, which moved him into the outright lead at six-under.

And for those of you who are wondering, here’s the long list of players who have shot 63 in major championships, via PGATour.com.

Of course, many on Twitter were quick to posit that golf’s most vocal 63-in-a-major shooter, Johnny Miller, had committed an act of sorcery.

We’re not sure. Regardless, a brilliant first-round performance that was millimeters from being the best of all time.

Ben Alberstadt is the Editor-in-Chief at GolfWRX, where he’s led editorial direction and gear coverage since 2018. He first joined the site as a freelance writer in 2012 after years spent working in pro shops and bag rooms at both public and private golf courses, experiences that laid the foundation for his deep knowledge of equipment and all facets of this maddening game. Based in Philadelphia, Ben’s byline has also appeared on PGATour.com, Bleacher Report...and across numerous PGA DFS and fantasy golf platforms. Off the course, Ben is a committed cat rescuer and, of course, a passionate Philadelphia sports fan. Follow him on Instagram @benalberstadt.

2 Comments

2 Comments

  1. Scooter McGavin

    Jul 15, 2016 at 4:26 pm

    So tired of Phony Phil. He shoots an excellent round and leads a major championship, but he still has to make it seem like that’s all beneath him because he didn’t set a world record. Yeah, I get that it’s tough coming that close, but give me a break. It’s like he’s saying winning the major isn’t enough for Phil the Amazing; he has to make history for it to be a positive experience for him. I hope he blows his lead in the last 3 holes.

  2. ooffa

    Jul 14, 2016 at 5:25 pm

    Choke!

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