It’s just 56 days since Phil Mickelson won the PGA Championship, to become the oldest major champion ever. And yet yesterday, at Royal St Georges, he carded a +10 round of 80, and today shot +2 to leave the championship.

He says he is at a loss to explain what he calls “his terrible performance”.

“I played some of my worst gold. I don’t have any great answers as to why so I have to figure out what I can to get back to the level of lay like I did at the PGA. I thought I was ready. I obviously played terrible. I’m having some challenges staying sharp”.

Indeed. It must have been mental distraction. Although I didn’t see him out on the course I did watch him on the practice ground and he was hitting the ball well. There was no indication of what was to come. It must be, as he says, about focus.

He is going to take time off and will be back at The Open next year at St Andrews.