Henrik Stenson and Phil Mickelson turn the Open into private duel

The Claret Jug, the trophy that’s given to the Open Championship’s victor, is one of the most recognizable trophies in all of sports and Mickelson understands what it means to hold it and be called Champion Golfer of the Year.

Stenson is pursuing his first major title after coming close on several occasions in the past, while Mickelson is chasing his sixth overall and second at The Open. Stenson was simply better, converting birdies on four of his last five holes to defeat Mickelson by three strokes.

Leading by one shot going into the par-4 15th, Stenson drained a 50-foot putt from the right side of the green, opening the lead to two shots, the largest margin between he and Phil Mickelson over 19 consecutive holes.

The 46-year-old, who has not won a tournament since lifting the Claret Jug three years ago, would be the fourth oldest victor of any major and the oldest in the Open since 1867, while 40-year-old Stenson was looking to become Sweden’s first male major champion.

Trading birdies and making few mistakes, the two were tied through the 13th hole, and then Stenson generated two enormous roars from the huge galleries.

In the British Open on Sunday at Royal Troon, playing the kind of golf rarely seen between two leaders in the final round of a major championship, Stenson and Mickelson combined to make 11 birdies, one eagle, and only two bogeys – both by Stenson. He made an 18-foot putt at the 14th, and putting from off the green at 15, Stenson drained a roll of 51 feet. He settled for a birdie to remain two strokes behind Stenson.

“It’s disappointing to come in second but I’m happy for Henrik, he’s really a great champion”, said the left-hander.

I know I’ve got the game to win one of these championships or a few, hopefully by the end of my career, and I will just try my hardest. Holmes finishing third at 278, a whopping 14 shots behind Stenson. That was the extra self-belief that made me go all the way this week. “I’m v ery proud of the way I played”.

Emiliano Grillo of Argentina. left and Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland walk up the 3rd fairway during the final round of the British Open Golf Championship at the Royal Troon Golf Club in Troon, Scotland, Sunday, July 17, 2016. He is the first Swedish male in history to win a major title.