Stunning Stenson: ‘The Iceman’ captures British Open
Swedish World No 6 fires brilliant closing eight-under par 63 to finish 20-under – three ahead of Phil Mickelson
Henrik Stenson kept hitting the best shots of his life, one after another, because there was no other way to beat Phil Mickelson in a British Open duel that ranked among the best in golf.
All he wanted was the silver Claret Jug. Stenson – ‘The Iceman’ – wound up with so much more on Sunday.
Stenson’s final stroke of this major masterpiece was a 20-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole at Royal Troon that tumbled into the cup on the last turn for an 8-under 63, matching Johnny Miller for the lowest closing round by a major champion.
It also gave him a 20-under 264, the lowest 72-hole score in major championship history.
Stenson won by three shots over Mickelson, who played bogey-free for a 65 and posted a score that would have won all but two Opens over more than a century on the links.
“This will take a while to sink in, I am still getting my bearings,” said Stenson soon after his victory.