TROON, Scotland—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 wound up with so much more 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.
Henrik Stenson of Sweden reacts after making a birdie putt on the 15th green during the final round of the British Open Golf Championship at the Royal Troon Golf Club in Troon, Scotland on July 17, 2016. AP Photo/Peter Morrison
