Adam Scott was trying to take solace from the fact he gave himself a shot at a second major title after admitting he let another golden British Open opportunity slide.

For the second straight year, Scott was left to rue a disastrous back nine-collapse that prolonged his quest for the Claret Jug.

After steadily creeping into contention throughout the week, the Masters champion looked to have made his move at just the right time as he seized a one-shot lead over the field at Muirfield with six holes to play.

But, just as he did at Royal Lytham 12 months ago, the Australian dropped four shots in four holes to allow a fast-finishing Phil Mickelson to race away with the title.

While there was no guarantee he would have beaten an ultra-impressive Mickelson, who carded a final-round 66 to win by three shots, Scott admits he should have at least made it a contest.

“I think the disappointing thing is this one I felt I wasted a little bit,” said Scott, who closed with a 72 to finish tied third.

“I let a great chance slip.

“I’m happy I put myself in with a chance. My game is in great shape, that’s the good thing to take from it.

“But had I played a little more solid in the middle of that back nine, I could have had a chance coming in.”

The defeat will be easier to swallow given Scott broke his major duck by becoming the first Australian to win the Masters in April.

But after surrendering a four-shot lead to lose to Ernie Els at last year’s Open, 33-year-old Scott will carry a nagging feeling he should already have multiple majors to his name.

Not one to consider possible mental frailties within his game, Scott is staying positive.

He remains confident another big win isn’t far away.

“I like where my game’s at, you know, up there and contending for most of the week,” he said.

“That’s where I want to be. That’s where I’ve got to keep myself.

“I believe I can win another one soon.

“If it wasn’t this week, hopefully I’ll do the same stuff at the PGA Championship (next month) and I can put my foot down there on the back nine and run away with it.”

Starting the day in a tie for fourth, three shots behind Lee Westwood, Scott got off to a slow start as he dropped two shots early on.

But his broomstick putter finally warmed up and he surged to the front with a run of four birdies in five holes.

But rather than go on with it, he unravelled.

After a brilliant recovery shot on the 13th, his five-foot putt cruelly lipped out of the cup and the bogeys kept coming.

He putted off the green on 14, three-putted again on 15 and found the bunker on 16 as his hopes faded and Mickelson stormed away.

Despite his fourth top-three finish in a major, Scott will drop from fourth to fifth in the world rankings after missing out on becoming Australia’s first British Open winner since Greg Norman in 1993.

Fellow perennial major contender Jason Day entered the final round only a shot behind Mickelson but was never able to get himself in the hunt with a 77 dropping him to tied 33rd at nine over.

Geoff Ogilvy (T44) was a shot back ahead of Marcus Fraser (T54) and Peter Senior (T79).