Record-breaking Swede Henrik Stenson became the first Scandinavian male to capture a major when he won the British Open on Sunday, beating Phil Mickelson in an extraordinary final-round duel. Usually, that’s good enough to do it, and I got beat.
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Not since Davis Love III and Justin Leonard shared the lead and were seven shots clear of the field in the 1997 PGA Championship has the final round of a major taken on the appearance of match play. “Most important thing is to find a way to get the ball in the hole, and that’s what I did … and that’s all that I really care about”.
“Yeah, I was one of the guys who was up there at Muirfield and Phil won it very deservingly and made a great finish, four birdies on the last six holes, I believe”.
Mickelson, who had been in front after each of the opening two rounds, didn’t do too much wrong as he shot a one-under-par 70 to sit at 11-under altogether.
“It was a day when I tried to force it a little bit on the front nine. I’ve worked hard these first three days to put myself in this situation and, once again, I’m going to try my hardest tomorrow (Sunday) to finish the job”, Stenson said. “I just haven’t gotten the win yet, but I feel like I’m getting some momentum and it’s getting better and better each week”.
With the drama building as each hole passed, Stenson broke away on the 14th and 15th holes, continuing one of the most fantastic putting displays in a long time in a major championship.
Mickelson had his chances on the final few holes of the tournament.
The Swede won his first major with precision. Even so, he came up with the right shots at the right time until Stenson passed him late in the afternoon.
While Stenson may not be a household name to some casual golf fans, he’s always been in that group of players considered “best to never win a major”.
None of the “Big Four” have been able to make their presence felt this week – US Open champion Dustin Johnson is one-under, world number one Jason Day sits at one-over and Jordan Spieth is five over.
Mickelson, trying to become the oldest Open champion since Old Tom Morris in 1867, shot the lowest final round of his career in a major and lost by three.
An historic 62 was even on the cards after a superb tee shot on the 17th, but after missing the birdie attempt there, Stenson made no such mistake on the 18th to bring a fitting end to an astonishing day.
Stenson took home the title on Sunday, keeping the lead he had built over Mickelson the day before by scoring another historic 63 round and the lowest overall score ever (-20) at the event. “He was a keen golfer, Mike this one is for you”.
Stenson’s Sunday showing was nothing short of spectacular, especially considering how well he played while staring down Phil Mickelson, who shot a terrific 6-under 65 of his own.
Lefty’s 25-foot birdie putt on the 13th hole gave him a two-shot lead.
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“I think that’s probably why it’s disappointing in that I don’t have a point where I can look back and say, I should have done that or had I only done this”.
