Mickelson claims The Open
Phil Mickelson turned US Open despair to British Open delight as he tamed Muirfield to claim his fifth major golf title.
One month after his heartbreak at the US Open, where he was runner-up for a record sixth time, the 43-year-old American left-hander produced the round of his life on Sunday to win his first Claret Jug.
Taking full advantage of another collapse by Australian Adam Scott, Mickelson came down the brutal back nine at the famed Scottish links course in 32, with birdies on four of the last six holes, for a five-under 66.
It gave him a three under total of 281, three strokes clear of Henrik Stenson of Sweden, who had a closing 70.
Third place was shared by Masters champion Scott, runner-up at last year’s event, and English pair Lee Westwood (75) and Ian Poulter (67).
Mickelson won in what was his 20th Open campaign to add to his major titles won at the Masters of 2004, 2006 and 2010 and the PGA Championship of 2005.
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He experienced the entire gamut of emotions in the space of five short weeks after his record six runner-up defeat at the US Open behind Justin Rose.
“This is such an accomplishment because I never knew whether I’d be able to develop my game to play links golf. I played arguably the best round of my career, and shot the round of my life,” Mickelson said.
“The range of emotions I feel are as far apart as possible after losing the US Open. To win this feels amazing.
“You have to be resilient in this game. These last couple of weeks, these last couple of months, I’ve played some of the best golf of my career.”
Scott, who squandered a four-shot lead with four to play at last year’s Open was again left to rue a horrid back-nine collapse.
After taking a one-shot lead with six holes to play, four straight bogeys denied him a chance to win a second major title and replicate his idol Greg Norman, the last Australian to win the event in 1993.
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“I let a great chance slip,” said Scott.
“But I like where my game’s at. I was up there contending for most of the week and that’s where I want to be, that’s where I’ve got to keep myself.”
“I believe I can win another one soon.”
Westwood, who started the day with a two-stroke lead over the field, once again found himself coming up agonisingly short at a major tournament, the 62nd of his career.
“I didn’t really play well enough today. I didn’t play badly, but I didn’t play great. It’s a tough golf course, and you’ve got to have your `A’ game,” he said.
Tiger Woods started the day just two off the lead but he failed to find any spark and his record of never having won a major when trailing after 54 holes held firm as he came in at two-over 286 after a 74 to be tied sixth.
Mickelson started the final round five strokes adrift of Westwood, but held steady going out and stormed down the back nine at a time when all of his rivals were stumbling in the tough conditions.
Mickelson joins an illustrious list of Open champions at Muirfield, including Jack Nicklaus, Lee Trevino, Tom Watson, Nick Faldo and Els.
Next up for Mickelson is probably the greatest challenge of his sporting life – to complete the career grand slam by finally winning the US Open after so many near misses.
“I think that if I’m able to win the US Open and complete the career grand slam, I think that that’s the sign of the complete great player,” he said.
