Tiger Woods blamed poor putting for failing in his bid for an unprecedented third successive victory at St Andrews.
Winner by eight in 2000 and five in 2005, the world No.1's wait for a 15th major goes on after he closed with a 72 and finished tied 23rd on three under par on Sunday.
"I drove it great all week, hit my irons pretty good, but I did not putt well except for the first day," said Woods, who on the plus side was delighted with how the crowds treated him in his first appearance in Britain since his sex scandal.
"I believe I had like nine three-putts for the week, so consequently I'm pretty far down the board."
After deciding to drop the putter with which he had captured all but the first of his majors, the three-time Open champion - he also won at Hoylake four years ago - went back to it for the last day.
But although the figures showed an improvement, he returns to America still searching for the magic touch which made him the dominant player for so long.
"If I got something going I would somehow find a way to stop the momentum," he added.
"People were great. People were fantastic. Unfortunately I wasn't in the lead, but still it was very warm.
"I just didn't feel comfortable with my speed, so I went back to my old putter.
"I feel satisfaction in the sense that I drove it on a string all week and hit my irons pretty good, but you just can't play and expect to win golf tournaments if you have nine or 10 three-putts for a week.
"No-one can win doing that. Got to clean that up before I tee it up again."
That is expected to be the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational in Akron in three weeks. He is the defending champion there.
Reminded that he had failed to win this year on the three courses where he had triumphed seven times - Augusta four times, Pebble Beach once and the Old Course twice - he just smiled.
"The good news is I've won half of them not on these venues too."