What a sensational finish we had at the Royal Troon for the Open Sunday night.
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As well as equalling the lowest score recorded in any major, which Mickelson had also done in the first round, Stenson’s 63 was only the second recorded in the final round of a major by the eventual victor after Johnny Miller in the 1973 US Open.
The Sunday showdown between Stenson and Mickelson will go down in Open Championship lore, as the two lapped the field.
TROON, Scotland (AP) – They walked off the 18th green together, arms wrapped around each other, forever linked by one of golf’s greatest duels.
Henrik Stenson is the champion golfer of the year, thanks to a final round for the ages.
No losers here, but only one victor.
If it wasn’t for Henrik Stenson’s remarkable 20 under score, Mickelson would be admiring the Claret Jug right now and celebrating the sixth major of his career.
Right on his heels, nearly to the very end, was Mickelson. “I’m disappointed that it was at my expense”.
When the final group stepped to the first tee, the sun broke through the clouds for the first time in three days.
For Mickelson, there was no second-guessing the way he played.
Mickelson, who finished second by two shots, was 11 strokes ahead of third-place finisher J.B. Holmes (6 under).
Mickelson knew there wasn’t much more he could do.
Their games were so in sync that, at one hole, they had to consult on who was away.
In a way, maybe even a little more.
Coming into the day, the prospect of a two-way shoot-out for the Claret Jug evoked memories of the legendary “Duel in the Sun” down the Ayrshire coast at Turnberry in 1977, when Tom Watson edged out Jack Nicklaus after the two Americans had separated themselves from their rivals. The 46-year-old Californian was also prevented the honor of becoming the oldest victor of the Claret Jug since Tom Morris Senior down the road at Prestwick way back in 1867.
The Swede won his first major in his 42nd attempt, becoming only the ninth player to capture his first major after turning 40.
QUOTEWORTHY: “A 65 in the final round of a major is usually good enough to win”.
His biggest challenge was 46-year-old Mickelson, who has won five majors.
“We played some extraordinary golf and at the start yesterday there were birdies and eagles”.
Stenson has always been one of the better players on the PGA Tour, but he’d never been in the final group of a major before this one. Many times, in fact. “It’s not something you want to run around and shout but I felt like this was going to be my turn”.
What distinguishes Miller’s performance, though, is that “63” was unheard of in a U.S. Open, especially that day at Oakmont Country Club in Pennsylvania. Watson’s 65 was just enough for a one-stroke victory against Nicklaus’ 66, with the next-closest player another 10 shots back. Even when you play your best. What a great match’. Stenson three-putted for bogey from just off the first green, and he three-putted on No. 11 to fall back into a tie for the lead. In the final round, they combined to make 14 birdies and an eagle.
That was the decisive blow.
“Phil certainly has nothing to be ashamed of because he played wonderfully”. The PGA Championship begins in less than two weeks at Baltusrol, where Mickelson won that title in 2005. He won the PGA the last time it was played at Baltustol in 2005.
For Stenson, it’s a chance to quickly add another major to the one he waited so long to get.
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Anyone’s shooting a 63 is just not supposed to happen in a U.S. Open.
