TROON, Scotland (AP) — The first-timer beat the old-timer at Royal Troon.
Sweden’s Henrik Stenson claimed his first major championship by outlasting 46-year-old Phil Mickelson in the final round of the British Open. Stenson tied a major record with a 63 that included 10 birdies and two bogeys. The only other player to shoot a 63 in the final round of a major was Johnny Miller at Oakmont in 1973.
Stenson closed the tournament with a 20-foot birdie putt that left him with a 20-under 264, breaking the total scoring record for a major tournament. David Toms had a 265 total at the 2001 PGA Championship, and Greg Norman was the previous Open scoring record-holder at 267 in 1993 at Royal St. George’s.
The turning point in the round was when Stenson sank a 50-foot birdie putt on 15 to take a two-shot lead. It helped Stenson shed the distinction of being the best current golfer without a major title.
Mickelson was trying to become the second-oldest British Open champion in history, and the oldest since Tom Morris in 1867. He closed with a 65 for a 17-under total, three strokes back in his 11th runner-up finish at a major.
American J.B. Holmes fired a 69 to finish third at minus-6, a whopping 14 shots back. Steve Stricker was fourth at 5 under, one stroke better than Rory McIlroy, Sergio Garcia and Tyrrell Hatton.
Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.