Stenson shot a 63 to Mickelson’s 65 in what was one of the greatest performances in major championship history.
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We’re only just getting started, aren’t we?
The 40-year-old cited “minor neck and knee issues” and duly returned to action five days later in the BMW International Open to claim his first win since November 2014 after 13 top-four finishes without success.
By now he should know the answer, because it has happened a lot.
All throughout the final round of The Open Championship at Royal Troon Golf Club in South Ayrshire, Scotland, Phil Mickelson and Henrik Stenson went shot for shot on the links course in an effort to win the Claret Jug.
Mickelson, at 46, was looking to become the oldest Open champion since “Old Tom” Morris 149 years ago. “We played some great golf and I’m delighted to come out on top”.
“Experience definitely plays a big part of it. It’s bittersweet, I guess”.
But Stenson also equalled the record for low round in any major with a 63, and he did it on Sunday, when it mattered most.
Stenson and Mickelson were never separated by more than two shots over 40 straight holes until the Swede’s final birdie.
“Very impressive and congrats @henrikstenson, Sweden doesn’t have to wait no more!”, Parnevik tweeted on Sunday. For the last four decades, the “Duel in the Sun” was the gold standard for head-to-head battles in a major championship, which are rare.
Both Callaway players proved to be a step above the rest this weekend at Royal Troon. “It makes it even more special to beat a competitor like Phil”. “He’s such a good player he’s got the short game only matched by a few – Seve Ballesteros comes to mind”. With or without a major I would have been very proud with what I’ve accomplished. “I am disappointed that it was at my expense”. They were tied with five holes to play until Stenson made an 18-foot birdie on the par-3 14th, and then buried Lefty with a putt that defined his moment as a major champion.
“I was just trying to birdie every hole, but it seemed like he was”.
“This will take a while to sink in”, said Stenson, at last a major victor at the age of 40, as he clutched the trophy.
“I’m very excited with the work that I’ve put in. the way I was able to hit fairways easily coming down the stretch and hit my iron shots right on line”, he said.
Woods reached 14 majors in 2008 and was ahead of the pace set by Nicklaus until a fourth knee surgery, three back surgeries and one fire hydrant got in the way. Henrik Stenson is my man crush and I’m not ashamed to say it! “I knew he would ultimately come through and win”.
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He got beat by arguably the best final round in 156 years of major championships.
