‘Wished I played better’: Golf villain Phil Mickelson’s misery continues at US Open

Golf villain Phil Mickelson finally made his return to a US tournament but his woeful year continued with a disappointing result.

BROOKLINE, MASSACHUSETTS - JUNE 17: Phil Mickelson of the United States acknowledges the crowd from the ninth green during the second round of the 122nd U.S. Open Championship at The Country Club on June 17, 2022 in Brookline, Massachusetts. Patrick Smith/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==

Phil Mickelson’s return from a four-month US lay-off was a short one after joining many of his fellow Saudi-backed LIV Golf rebels in missing the cut at the US Open.

The six-time major winner, who fired an eight-over-par first round 78 on his 52nd birthday, struggled to a 73 in the second round and at 11-over 151 would not play the weekend at the Country Club at Brookline.

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“I enjoyed the week. Wish I had played better,” Mickelson said.

“I missed competing, but I also enjoyed some time away.” Mickelson skipped the Masters and PGA Championship, which he won last year at age 50, after an exile following comments made public calling LIV Golf’s Saudi financiers “scary” and decrying their record on human rights issues.

The left-hander apologised and said he wanted some time away after comments to his biographer were made public about his willingness to set those issues aside in order to have leverage against the US PGA Tour.

Mickelson was among 17 players given indefinite suspensions last week by the PGA for playing in LIV Golf’s debut event in England. The A$36 million, 54-hole tournament paid out $10 million more in prize money than the US Open will.

The US Open became the first venue for a PGA-LIV showdown after it decided to stick with its qualifying rules and not ban LIV players.

Phil Mickelson’s return to the majors was a forgettable one. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

Mickelson called the event “spectacular” and the course set up “remarkable” as he exited after supportive comments from spectators over his two rounds.

“The fans here have always been terrific,” Mickelson said.

“They create a really special atmosphere.”

The 15 LIV Golf players in the field were a combined 53-over par on day one and 12 of 15 were in at a total of 25-over for day two.

Two-time major winner Dustin Johnson, a LIV Golf player safely inside the cut on 141 after a 73 on Friday, also praised the fans and said he wasn’t apprehensive about playing due to the LIV-PGA fracture.

“No, not at all,” he said. “I was coming in here, preparing, getting ready to try and win a US Open.

“I’m playing pretty well. Just need to tighten it up just a little bit come the weekend.”

Among LIV Golf players well back in the field, Australian Jed Morgan was third-from last on 156, South African Shaun Norris was on 148, South African Louis Oosthuizen and England’s Sam Horsfeld were on 146 and Americans Kevin Na and Talor Gooch were on 145.

Spain’s Sergio Garcia was flirting with the cut on 144.

Those likely set for the weekend include England’s Richard Bland and Bryson DeChambeau on 142 and Reed on 141.