One of those was the 1977 British Open when the North Palm Resident and Tom Watson hooked up in what became known as the “Duel in the Sun” and will go down as one of the most memorable days in golf history.
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On this occasion, JB Holmes in third finished 11 shots behind Mickelson, who said: “I don’t remember being in a match like that where we’ve separated ourselves from the field by so many strokes”.
When all was said and done, Watson carded his second-straight 65 – one shot better than the 66 Nicklaus turned in – to win his second Open Championship.
‘Phil Mickelson played one of the best rounds I have ever seen played in The Open and Henrik Stenson just played better – he played one of the greatest rounds I have ever seen. Henrik was simply terrific.
“I’m disappointed to come in second but I’m happy for Henrik”. Nearly certainly. Best maiden major win? “We both played some great golf”, Stenson told reporters.
“I hope I can perform well, and hopefully get one of the medals, and hopefully the best one to bring home”.
Meanwhile in the day’s other provincial finals Galway thrashed Roscommon at the second time of asking, winning the Connacht replay 3-16 to 0-14, while Dublin eased to another Leinster title, seeing off Westmeath 2-19 to 0-10.
He said: “It certainly crossed my mind a little bit out there today, that match when Jack and Tom went head-to-head there in ’77”.
So there you have it.
Henrik Stenson triumphed in the 145th Open Championship at Royal Troon. Leave your thoughts in the “Comments” section below.
The 1977 Open Championship at Turnberry will forever be remembered as the “Duel in the Sun”.
New world No. 5 Stenson had started the day on 12-under, a shot clear of Mickelson, but dropped a stroke at the first to lose his lead.
Yesterday, the Swede shot a final round 63 to win his first Major while Mickelson shot a 65 in the same group.
Before the PGA Championship, the tour will head north of the border to the RBC Canadian Open at Glen Abbey Golf Club in Ontario.
On being the first Swedish male to win a major, Stenson said: “It’s been on all the Swedish golfer’s shoulders for a long, long time”.
Tony Jacklin of England (L) poses with compatriot Nick Faldo (2nd L), John Daly of the USA (2nd R) and his compatriot Tom Lehman as they stand on the Swilcan Bridge on the 18th hole during the Champion Golfers’ Challenge tournament ahead of the British Open golf championship on the Old Course in St. Andrews, Scotland, July 15, 2015.
HENRIK STENSON came out on top against Phil Mickelson on an exciting final day to lift the Claret Jug.
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“I knew that he would ultimately come through and win (one)”.
