Stenson Wins Open Over Mickelson

By ESPN

Henrik Stenson kept hitting the best shots of his life, one after another, because there was no other way to beat Phil Mickelson in an Open showdown that ranked among the best in golf.

Stenson shot an 8-under 63 on Sunday to finish the tournament at 20-under and claim his first major championship. He won Sunday's matchup with Mickelson by 2 strokes and the Claret Jug by 3 over the American.

Stenson's final stroke of this major masterpiece was a 20-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole at Royal Troon that tumbled into the cup on the final turn. His 63 matched Johnny Miller for the lowest closing round by a major champion.

"I didn't know until they told me in the recorder's hut," Stenson said when asked if he knew that last putt was for 63.

Both Stenson and Mickelson played stellar golf, combining for an eagle, 14 birdies and two bogeys in the final pairing.

"Thank you very much for a great fight," Stenson told Mickelson as he accepted the Claret Jug.

Stenson ended his winner's speech on the 18th green by dedicating the victory to a close friend who died of cancer the day before The Open started.

"I feel like he has been with me all week. Mike, this one is for you," said an emotional Stenson as he raised the Claret Jug one more time and kissed it.

Stenson delivered a crushing blow to Mickelson's chances of capturing a sixth major championship by making a 50-foot birdie putt from off the green at No. 15 that gave him a 2-shot lead with three to play. It was the first time all day the final group had been separated by more than 1 stroke.

Mickelson narrowly missed an eagle putt on the 16th hole, and Stenson kept his 2-shot lead with an up-and-down for birdie from the deep rough.

"I knew he wasn't going to back down at any point, and in a way that makes it easier for myself," Stenson said. "I knew I had to keep on pushing, keep on giving myself birdie chances. He wasn't going to give it to me, so I had to pull away. I'm just delighted I managed to do that with a couple of birdies at the right time."

Mickelson led only once, a two-shot swing on the opening hole. 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.

J.B. Holmes finished third. He was 14 shots behind.

Jordan Niebrugge, who has ties to the Teutopolis area, missed the cut, shooting a six-over with a 72 and a 76. Niebrugge had a tremendous Open last year as an amateur.