On the 15th hole, Stenson drained an unbelievable 50 foot putt for birdie to stretch out to a two shot lead going into 16, site of the a deciding factor in Stenson’s win.
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In his mind, those were U.S. Open titles he frittered away.
Stenson’s grief became his inspiration as the 40-year-old won a sensational final-day battle with Phil Mickelson in a closing round that will be celebrated as among the greatest in the history of the tournament.
It also equals Jason Day’s record in a major, which the world number one set at the 2015 US PGA Championship. What a great match’.
It was one of the greatest days in Major championship history and Nicklaus was full of praise for a contest that will live long in the memory.
The tall Swede eventually signed for a 63 with a birdie on the last hole to win with a 20-under 264 total, a record score in a Major.
Mickelson’s last chance came and went at the 16th when his eagle putt just missed.
Phil Mickelson did his best to keep pace with Stenson in a thrilling duel, only to come up three strokes short as his rival picked up shots at four of the last five holes. With or without a major I would have been very proud with what I’ve accomplished.
“It’s probably the best I’ve played and not won”, Mickelson said.
Three weeks ago I wrote in a column for a Chicago newspaper Phil would never win another major!
What followed was near-flawless golf by both players, as each counter-attacked.
“I always thought he would come through with a win”, Mickelson.
Maybe birdie every hole.
Mickelson began the day trailing Stenson by one shot. Stenson started the final round with a one-shot lead over Mickelson, and knew it would be a two-man race from the opening hole when Mickelson almost holed out from the fairway.
“I’m not that surprised in the sense that Henrik has that ability – he hits it so straight, so good”. That definitely helped this week, and I felt that extra confidence was going to be huge for me coming into this week.
Stenson’s game through the week with rounds of 68-65-68-63 suggested a different level of golf, which saw him total 20-under, which I believe is among the very best shot at a Major.
“Henrik showed tremendous resolve and self belief”.
Stenson said: “It’s not something you want to run around and shout, but I felt like this was going to be my turn”. Over those 36 holes, they were tied after 15, Stenson led after 13 of them and Mickelson led after eight of them.
J.B. Holmes finished third.
Tony Jacklin won two majors and is Europe’s most decorated Ryder Cup captain but he says he has never seen anything like the battle royal between Henrik Stenson and Phil Mickelson at the 145th British Open.
“I was thinking about that”, Mickelson said with a slight smile. Just one stroke separated them on Sunday and for the tournament.
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The two were neck-and-neck on the back nine after Stenson missed a par putt at the risky 11th hole, but he made the difference with a stunning run of three straight birdies from the 14th. It stayed that way until Stenson made an 18-foot birdie putt at 14.
