Phil Mickelson was so close -- fractions of an inch -- and yet so, so far away. As he took aim on an 18-foot putt on the 18th hole at the British Open, history was in sight.
With a birdie putt, he'd finish off a first-round 62 -- the lowest score in the history of PGA Tour major championships. So imagine his pain when the putt lipped out of the hole, forcing him to settle for a 63, and a mere 11-way tie of the best score in history.
Phil's pain was palpable. He knew what was at stake, and when the putt misses, he's unable to contain his disappointment. "I feel like crying," he said after his round.
It was even worse for Mickelson's caddie, who collapsed to the ground in disbelief after watching the near-miss.
It was just too much for Phil's caddie. #TheOpen pic.twitter.com/tmeO76iS1Y
— The Open (@TheOpen) July 14, 2016
Given the low, low odds of ever approaching that score again, it's tough to offer any consolation. All he can do now is forget his brush with history, and use this early lead to try and win another major.
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