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TROON, Scotland – It was a performance he won’t forget. Shot after shot, birdie after birdie, Henrik Stenson did what champions do; find a way to win.
It was a battle that’ll go down as an instant classic, the 46 year-old Phil Mickleson neck and neck with Stenson on a Royal Troon course that eats golfers up on a daily basis.
Stenson shot an -8 under 63, tying Johnny Miller for the lowest closing round score for a major champion. Mickleson wasn’t too far behind himself, shooting a bogey-free 65. Mickleson opened the tournament with a 63, playing four rounds better than everyone else in the field, except Stenson. It’s the 11th major runner-up finish for the American golfer.
The 40 year-old Stenson has finished fourth or better in seven majors, but knocked in four birdies on the back nine to win his first Claret Jug.
