Michael Phelps made a less than impressive return to the 200 meters butterfly on Saturday, finishing seventh at the Charlotte Pro Swim more than 3 seconds behind winner Chase Kalisz.

Phelps, whose 18 Olympic gold medals include two in the 200 meters butterfly, hadn't swum a final in what was once his signature event since the 2012 Games - where Chad le Clos ended Phelps' Olympic reign in the event.

In the midst of a comeback aimed at the 2016 Rio Games, Phelps clocked 2 minutes 00.77 seconds to finish next to last in the race won by Kalisz in 1:57.58. His world record in the event of 1:51.51 was set in 2009.