Defending Open Champion Phil Mickelson arrived at Royal Liverpool this morning to hand back the famed Claret Jug to R & A CEO, Peter Dawson.

Mickelson had been at the course earlier and boarded a Mercedes Benz courtesy car near 10am for the 50-yard drive to the front of the stately-looking Royal Liverpool clubhouse.

And has Mickleson has done in recent weeks, he spoke to Dawson about the joy in being Open Champion and the pleasure he’s received in witnessing people’s reaction to the seeing and handling golf’s most famous trophy.

“It is really a great feeling coming back to the Open Championship and it’s a tournament that for many years I would show up but the pressure for me was being able to play links golf,” he said.

“It took me quite a long time but I was finally able to answer that question with my performance last year at Muirfield.

“So to now come back every year as a past winner will give me a lot of confidence.”

Phil Mickelson returns the Claret Jug to R & A CEO Peter Dawson. (Photo – www.golfbytourmiss.com)

Phil Mickelson hands back to Claret Jug to Peter Dawson outside the stately Royal Liverpool clubhouse. (Photo – www.golfbytourmiss.com)