RICHARD McEvoy says that Muirfield is the toughest course he’s ever played on, but that he loved every minute of taking part in The Open.

The 34-year-old from Leigh also paid tribute to Phil Mickelson after he won his fifth major thanks to a brilliant final round of 66.

McEvoy missed the cut by five shots after rounds of 73 and 82 left him 13 over par, and picked up just under 3,000 euros in prize money.

He was in excellent company alongside the likes of Luke Donald (plus 10), Rory McIlroy (plus 12) and Matteo Manassero (plus 15), and says overall he was happy with his performance and the experience.

“I could not have played any better on the first day and I was very happy with how I kept the ball in play,” said the Thorpe Hall club member.

“I settled into the round nicely and ended up shooting two over, and had it not been for a couple of tricky pins I might have done better.

“The change of direction of the wind on the second day made the course play totally different – it was like a brand new course that way around.

“ I missed a lot of fairways and eight, nine and 10 I was in three traps in a row and had to play out sideways on all three. And that’s how you drop shots.

“And then I messed up on 15 and 16 but that’s the way the course was set-up – if you weren’t on your game it made you look silly.

“It was the toughest golf course I have ever played on.

“At St George’s, at the previous Open I played in, it was a lot easier although conditions were tough with a strong wind and heavy rain.

“This week it was the other way around with good conditions, but a really tough set-up on the course. But it was a great week and a great experience and I hope to back involved at that level again soon.”

It was Mickelson’s first Open championship title, and McEvoy says the American is a great ambassador for the game.

He said: “For Phil Mickelson to shoot five under on that last day was incredible.

“To shoot any score in the 60s was a good round, and to do that to come from behind to win is a great achievement