Once in a lifetime, the world of golf witnesses events like those that transpired Sunday at Royal Troon when Henrik Stenson and Phil Mickelson staged a final round battle for the ages at the 145th Open Championship.
When it had nearly ended, Stenson had birdied Mickelson into submission and there was but one last piece of business to take care of as the sun came out, the winds laid down and the crowds hushed, waiting for history to be written.
Stenson stood over a 15-foot putt for birdie at the 72nd hole of the championship. He struck it firmly, as he had done all day the ball went on its line then seemed to go over the lip and rest momentarily on the back ledge of the hole. In a blink of an eye, Stenson’s ball fell into the hole for a round of 63 and a 20-under par effort that established a new mark in golf history.
It didn’t matter that Phil Mickelson put up the best fight he could, his closing 65 would have wiped out most mortals and his 17-under par was 11 shots better than third place J.B. Holmes. It didn’t matter because he was taken down by a super-human final round effort. Stenson had gone where no player, none of the greats, Nicklaus, Hogan, Player, Woods Sarazen, indeed, no one had finished 20-under par in a major championship. But that final turn of the golf ball set Stenson on a golf pedestal.
He broke Greg Norman’s Open Championship scoring record and wiped out Jason Day’s record for most strokes under par in a major.
When it was all over and the Claret Jug was safely in Stenson’s arms, the scoreboard read: 68-65-69-63. Take notice of that 63, it was the putt that wiped out Johnny Miller’s claim to fame. Miller was the only man in golf to shoot 63 in the FINAL round to win a major. That was back in 1973 at Oakmont and the U.S. Open. Stenson wiped out the “only man” part of that equation.
The staggering thought is that he did it with 10 birdies over the final 18 holes. It could have been 61 had it not been for three-putt bogeys at the first and 11th holes. Mind-boggling.
Not since “The Duel In The Sun” has there been a final round shootout like this. Thirty-nine years ago Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson distanced themselves from the rest of the field at Turnberry. Watson shot 65 to Nicklaus’ 66 in a thrilling finish.
“I threw as much at him as I could,” said Mickelson, who shot 65 on this memorable day. “But he didn’t make any mistakes. Henrik made 10 birdies today. That’s really impressive golf. I’m as happy for him as I am disappointed for myself. He’s a class act.”
Mickelson did all he could. He came out firing on all cylinders, he stuck his opening approach to a foot and took the lead when Stenson three-putted for an opening bogey. But after that, Stenson would play the next 17 holes in nine-under par.
“Wow,” was Stenson’s first thought as he became the first man from Sweden to claim a major championship. “This will take a while to sink in. A fantastic battle. I’m delighted to come out on top. Thanks to Phil for a great fight.”
And with that, Stenson’s date with destiny finished with him circling the 18th hole, hoisting the Claret Jug for all to see.
He set a new standard for championship golf and left millions with a lot to talk about for years to come.
4 Comments
beege
it was as compelling as any match play could possibly be. I remember the Watson/Nicklaus 36 holes–watching that and I do remember thinking jack is going to pull away from Tom, not only did that not happen Watson hit one or two better shots and claimed the jug.
This time was very similar for me as they dueled two days in a row–and Tom, right this minute it is hard to realize that Stenson had never won a major because what he did today will not be forgotten–period. Now Dustin and Henrik have relieved themselves of the gorilla–could Kooch or Sergio or maybe Rickie be next?—we don’t have to wait long—11 days and its off to the PGA!
Tom Edrington
I don’t believe Sergio, Kuchar or Fowler have the heart of these two players we saw today. Nope, no way. This was special. It was almost once in a lifetime. I loved the fact that now Johnny Miller can no longer lay claim to the “only man to shoot 63 in the final round of a major” claim……I was with a group of friends watching and I set the table for that final putt, I said, “hey, this is for 63, 20-under and it wipes out Johnny Miller’s claim to fame.” Loved it!!!!
beege
Yes, now Johnny isn’t alone–but he had to know someday….o.k. I do not want you to think I was implying that kooch or sergio or rickie would have done what Stenson did today what I am saying can they be next to win a major and get off the “shnide”. I think Sergio would have the best chance but who knows–maybe someone else we have not even thought of yet will do it.
Tom Edrington
Sergio’s putting will not allow him to win, ball-striking yes, putting no. We’ve had three first-time champions in the three majors this year, why not a fourth in two weeks at Baltusrol?