TIL Desk Sports/ Swedish golfer Henrik Stenson bagged his maiden Major title with a three-stroke victory over Phil Mickelson after the fourth round at the British Open at the Royal Troon Golf Club here on Sunday. The world No.6 Swede came into the final round with a one-shot advantage over his American rival but the duo were tied at the top of the leaderboard with five holes to play as they went blow-for-blow in an enthralling contest.
A birdie on the par – three 14th moved Stenson ahead and when he drained a remarkable 50-foot effort on the next, the pair were separated by two shots for the first time all day. Stenson maintained the gap before birding the last to finish at 20-under 264 total with a 63 and beat Mickelson by three shots.
Stenson had finished second behind Mickelson at Muirfield in 2013 but the circumstances were very different here as the pair played together in the final group on Saturday and Sunday to produce a duel of the highest quality and drama. As well as becoming Sweden’s first Major champion, Stenson broke a host of records with the lowest total to par in British Open history and the lowest ever final round by a winner.
