Henrik Stenson full of pride after breaking Swedish duck

No losers here, but only one victor.

Stenson claimed the claret jug, a major champion for the first time at age 40. All it took was 10 birdies and a magnificent 8-under 63 in the closing round of the British Open. Less dramatic were the very makable putts Mickelson missed on Sunday’s front nine.

Mickelson, who had beaten Stenson into second place to lift the Claret Jug at Muirfield in 2013, found the positions reversed despite a flawless 65 to finish 17 under, with fellow American JB Holmes an awesome 11 shots further adrift in third.

Henrik Stenson spoke of his pride at becoming the first male Swedish player to win a major after his record-breaking victory in the Open Championship.

“I didn’t finish the job the way I wanted and on a few of them it was a couple of youngsters from America (Jordan Spieth and Rickie Fowler) who did some good stuff and denied me the wins in particular in ’15. I’m disappointed that it was at my expense”.

Said Nicklaus on Sunday: “Some in the media have already tried to compare today’s final round to 1977 at Turnberry, with Tom Watson and me in what they called the ‘Duel in the Sun.’ I thought we played great and had a wonderful match”.

THIS young golf fan looks like he’s won The Open as American star Phil Mickelson hands him his ball shortly after making a birdie at Royal Troon.

Stenson’s game through the week with rounds of 68-65-68-63 suggested a different level of golf, which saw him total 20-under, which I believe is among the very best shot at a Major.

“Those guys are playing a different golf course than everyone else, ” Holmes said.

In his mind, those were U.S. Open titles he frittered away.

Mickelson knew there wasn’t much more he could do.

Add in the loss of millions of dollars in disgraced financier Allen Stanford’s Ponzi scheme in 2009, as well as some serious health problems – including one caused by a parasite picked up on holiday – and Stenson’s recovery is all the more remarkable.

In a way, maybe even a little more.

“It’s probably the best I’ve played and not won”, Mickelson said. “I knew I was going to have to battle back if it wasn’t, but I think that was the extra self-belief that made me go all the way this week”.

It was that kind of week for Mickelson: Being great just wasn’t good enough. Weather delays forced a Monday finish, and Mickelson got up-and-down with a flop shot and beat Steve Elkington and Thomas Bjorn by one shot.

“I played what I feel was well enough to win this championship by a number of strokes, and yet I got beat by three strokes”, he said. “You know, it’s not like I have decades left of opportunities to win majors, so each one means a lot to me. Played close to flawless golf and got beat”. Many times, in fact.

“It’s going to be massive for golf in Sweden with this win”. Johnny Miller did it first in 1973, rallying from six shots down to capture the U.S. Open by a single stroke. The two players gave each other a hug, then walked off the green with their arms around each other’s shoulders, much as Nicklaus and Watson did on that day at Turnberry.

“Henrik was 20-under at the end and Phil was 17-under, you would have thought Troon was a pitch and putt course last week but the weather was awful on Friday and Saturday, the wind really blew”, said the 72-year-old Jacklin. Even when you play your best. “What a great match”.

Stenson began the day with a one-stroke lead. Neither player could push the margin any higher than that until they got to the 15th, the Swede again up by a shot after rolling in an 18-foot birdie the previous hole.

Mickelson had the edge, putting his approach on the green, about 30 feet from the flag.