Mickelson praises R&A after one of his toughest tests

By Tony Jimenez

SOUTHPORT (Reuters) - World number two Phil Mickelson said his 16th British Open appearance had been one of the toughest of his career.

"Consistently day in, day out it has been as challenging as I have played in for four days," the American left-hander told reporters after a closing 71 gave him a 14-over-par score of 294 at Royal Birkdale on Sunday.

"We had times like this at Muirfield in 2002 when the wind would come up even stronger but consistently this has been one of the hardest ones."

Mickelson, the highest-ranked player in the field in the absence of injured world number one Tiger Woods, was full of praise for the examination provided by the wind-battered links layout on the north-west coast of England.

"It has been a very fair test," said the 38-year-old. "The course was set up fair and even in the conditions there was a score out there.

"You could make birdies on some holes and fight for pars on others. There was enough room to play.

"This is what the R&A (organisers) wants, to test players in adverse conditions and have a course that's set up fair."

Mickelson said his putting let him down here and at last week's Scottish Open where he finished tied for 38th.