Stenson Wins British Open In Record Breaking Performance

Poor Phil Mickelson! He manages to play smart golf, shunning the glory shot that has doomed him in the past, shoots a final round 65, the second best round of the day, to come in at 17 under par for the tournament – and he loses. Henrik Stenson played one of the most magnificent final rounds at a major in the history of golf, shooting an all-time record-tying 8 under par 63, to finish 20 under par, besting Phil by 3 strokes.

The day had begun with Mickelson and Stenson set for a head-to-head confrontation as the two of them had at least a five stroke lead over the rest of the field. So it was pretty much a match play situation from the get-go. Usually, the British Open is more about who can last the longest against the course and the conditions. But today the wind was down and these two golfers took full advantage. And what phenomenal play it was, as both players see-sawed back and forth for the lead and matched each other birdie for birdie. It wasn’t until Stenson drained a 50-foot birdie putt on the 15th hole that any player had a lead of more than one stroke. And when Mickelson’s eagle putt on the 16th somehow managed not go in and Stenson then drained his own birdie on that hole, it was pretty much all over. Stenson capped his incredible round by making a back-door birdie on the final hole to shoot his 63 and win by 3. Stenson had 10 birdies on the day and his two bogeys were both three-putts. Other than the first, there wasn’t any hole where his drive or second shot ever brought bogie into play – that’s how exceptional he was from tee to green. And, to think he could have shot 61 without those three-putts – simply incredible. It was simply one of the most exceptional final rounds at a major in golfing history.

One final note, it really seemed like the NBC crew was pulling just a little bit too hard for Phil, but that may just be me. But it was pretty shocking that they waited until the 17th hole to mention that Stenson was only one birdie away from tying the all-time record for low final round in a major, considering the record was set by Johnny Miller who was doing the broadcast. And I think we had to wait until the Phil Mickelson interview to be reminded (by Phil) that Stenson had 10 birdies on the day. In any case, it was one of the great final round duels in major golf history and the fantastic play of both of these players far overshadowed whatever the broadcast was lacking.

Congratulations Henrik!