The Open 2016: Follow all the action from the final day at Royal Troon as Henrik Stenson and Phil Mickelson battle for Claret Jug
Stenson and Mickelson in thrilling duel for the Claret Jug
- DAY FOUR of The Open at Royal Troon as Sweden's Henrik Stenson leads on -19, two shots ahead of Phil Mickelson on -17
- Mickleson and Stenson are locked in battle after 15 holes
- Brit hero 'Beef' Johnstone in second-last group but is 16 shots off lead
- Refresh browser for updates
18.54: Goodbye!
18.50: Well, what an incredible, bewildering, and frankly preposterous day of golf that was. Two golfers playing to their very peak and simply obliterating the rest of the field. It was awe-inspiring stuff. Thanks for joining me today. I've been Gavin Newsham and I'll leave you with the words of the 2008 Masters Champion Trevor Immelmann...
18.48: And here's Phil Mickelson to receive his silver salver. Well played Lefty. And here's the Champion Golfer of the Year... HENRIK STENSON!!! Cue bedlam. He holds the Claret Jug aloft and grabs the microphone. He gives thanks to the golfing god that is Phil Mickelson and thanks his wife, his family and his team and then dedicates his win to a friend that passed away recently. 'Thanks for your support and safe travels home," he says. And with that he's gone...
18.43: Like you'd know...
18.41: And we're ready for the presentation down on the 18th green. Someone's busy though. Get a move on mate...
18.40: Everybody is just staggered by what Stenson's just done...
18.38: But what can you say about Phil Mickelson? He shoots a final round 65, is 11 shots clear of third place and still loses by three strokes. How can you get your head round that?
18.34: So Henrik Stenson, at 40, is the oldest first-time major winner since Darren Clarke won his Claret Jug in 2011. He also ties Johnny Miller's record of the lowest ever round to win a major and breaks the record for the lowest ever total, -20, at The Open. It doesn't get better than that.
18.29: Mickelson to putt. It's a long way off but it's another sensational effort that lands a couple of feet away. He's been incredible today. So here's Stenson. And you know what he's done, don't you? Yep, HE'S HOLED THE BIRDIE PUTT!!! Unbelievable. Just unbelievable. That's a round of 63 for the Swede against Mickelson's 65. I'm not sure we'll ever see that quality of golf again. It was just mind-blowing.
18.27: BOOM! Henrik Stenson pops it up into the clouds and it lands like a feather right in the middle of the green. This has been some performance from the Swede and, for that matter, from Phil Mickelson. They've been slugging it out like prize fighters all day but that ridiculous birdie of Stenson's on 11 changed everything,
18.26: It's 186 yards for Mickelson and again, he finds the heart of the green. Not a single bogey on his card today for Lefty. How good is that?
18.23: It's a final round of 73 for Beef and that will guarantee him a top ten finish and a place in the field for the Open at Birkdale next year. He's been one of the stars of the week at Troon, no doubt. Well played Beef.
18.21: Stenson with the honour at 18 and his trusty 3-wood leaves him right on the edge of the Greg Norman bunker down the right. Phew. It's another gorgeous shot from Mickelson too as he finds the heart of the fairway. Meanwhile, the engraver is busy at work. Do you think he's gambling on Stenson not cocking this up spectacularly?
18.19: Incredible reception for Andrew 'Beef' Johnston as he makes his way down the 18th. What a star he is. What a beard.
18.17: STENSON MISSES! He still has a two-shot lead going down the last but that was very wobbly from the Swede. In other news, JB Holmes finishes with a 69 to take third place with Steve Stricker one behind on -5.
18.14: That's it. Mickelson has duffed his chip on to the green and left it well short. It's a 12-footer for par... And HE GETS IT! Wow. Just wow. And now Stenson who, we should say, still has a chance of a 62. Just saying...
18.13: We concur...
18.10: Ladies and gentlemen, please be upstanding for your Open Champion! Henrik Stenson hits a dream tee shot at 17, landing right next to the pin and giving himself a five-footer for a birdie. Mickelson's is less impressive, short and to the front edge of the green. Game over? Quite possibly.
18.07: Nasty double bogey for Steve Stricker at 17 and he drops back to -5 leaving JB Holmes in sole possession of third place. It's his wedding anniversary too. Oh dear.
18.06: Nerveless par putt from Stenson as he drains it and he's two up with two to play. He's nearly there...
18.03: Brilliant shot from Stenson as he chops it out and across the green, coming to a halt about five or six feet from the pin. Great chance to save par for him now. Huge putt for Mickelson though. It's on its way... AND IT MISSES BY MILLIMETRES!!! It's still hanging there and Lefty can't quite believe that's it not dropped.
17.59: And it might be at this hole too as Mickelson finds the green, leaving himself an 18-footer for birdie while Stenson tugs it left and into the fescue to the side of the green. All depends on what lie the Swede has there as to what he can do with it. He'll also have to come out over a bunker too. No pressure then...
17.58: I hate to say it but I think there's a final twist to come in this encounter...
17.57: You can say that again...
17.55: Tremendous effort from Sergio Garcia at the 18th as his long birdie putt just misses. He taps in for a par and a round of 69. He's tied in fifth with Rory McIlory and Tyrrell Hatton on -4.
17.50: Is this the moment it all changes? Henrik Stenson rolls a huge putt across from the right go the green and it drops deadweight into the cup. UNBELIEVABLE! It's a fine effort from Mickelson too but he's a couple of inches to the right and HENRIK STENSON NOW HAS A TWO-SHOT LEAD WITH THREE TO PLAY!
17.45: After two peerless tee shots, both Stenson and Mickelson find the green at the 15th but while they're both on the dancefloor they're a long way from the DJ.
17.42: So four holes to play and you can cut the tension at Troon with a knife. Probably a steak knife if Beef has anything to do with it. Talking of whom, it's another bogey for Andrew Johnston who's fast running out of steam as the tournament comes to a close. He's now at -3 through 15 holes.
17.37: HUGE PUTT FOR STENSON! HE MAKES BIRDIE AND HE LEADS BY ONE!
17.35: These two have already been warned about slow play and that's fair enough really because they are taking an eternity getting round here. Mickelson putts first and knocks it two feet past and, again, he opts to putt out again, putting all the pressure back on Stenson.
17.30: To the par-3 14th. It's called 'Alton', incidentally. Both men find the putting surface but it's Stenson that's closer and with the easier putt. Short sticks out lads.
17.26: It's Stenson to putt first and it's the perfect lag, giving him a tap-in par. Now Mickelson... COULDN'T HAVE BEEN CLOSER! Lovely pace, great roll but it stays above ground. They head to the 14th, tied for the lead at -16.
17.21: Another classy approach from Mickelson as he leaves himself a 15-foot birdie putt from 192 yards. It's a decent strike from Stenson too but he's further to the right and about 25-feet from the cup. Who's going to blink first?
17.15: Phil Mickelson does well to hack it out of the rough and land it on the green but he'll have maybe an 18-footer for his par. This is a big chance for Stenson. It's right to left, uphill and it's on its way... no, short. Now Mickelson... HE'S MADE IT! That's cojones, right there.
17.06: Ugly three-putt for Beef at the 12th and while he angrily feigns to wallop his ball into next week, the Beef Boys carry on regardless.
17.05: All this game needs is for Mickelson to hole one of these at the last to win it and I'll die happy...
[youtube //www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNMtt94x1Y0&w=620&h=349]
16.58: Stenson's long putt is short and leaves him with a 7-footer for par. Mickelson's effort is also tame by his standards but he mops up a 3-foot putt for par. Pressure on Stenson to make this now. Here he goes... LIPPED OUT!!! Bogey for the Swede and they're all square at -16!
16.56: We also need a name for Beef's legion of fans who are now cheering before he hits the ball, when he hits the ball, when the ball is in the air and when it lands, irrespective of whether it's stone dead or in the bunker. They're nuts.
16.53: Five-iron for Stenson from the light rough on the left. It's all over the flag but pulls up short, leaving the Swede with a very long putt for birdie. Mickelson is really unlucky though as his approach toys with the pin but just rolls off the back of the green. Still too close to call this.
16.49: Given that there has been no sunshines in Troon this week we can't really call this 'Duel In The Sun II', can we? Suggestions? How about the 'Tussle in Troon'? Not really working, is it?
16.44: Stenson with a right to left 10-footer for his birdie. It's very quiet. Here he goes... STRAIGHT IN THE MIDDLE! BIRDIE FOR STENSON! This is a massive putt for Mickelson now. He has to make it or they'll be daylight between the two. Over to you Lefty... HE MAKES IT!!! Just preposterous. Stenson goes to -17, Mickelson one behind on -16.
16.41: Anything Phil can do... Of course Stenson can match it. This is insane.
16.39: The standard of golf here is so stratospherically high that I'm not evenly remotely impressed by the fact that Mickelson dug it out of the rough and sent it straight at the pin from 160 yards, finishing about eight feet away. Whatever.
16.37: If it's not trains screaming by it's planes roaring overhead. Whose idea was it to have a golf course here?
16.36: Golf is a rollercoaster...
16.35: Advantage Sweden on the 10th as Stenson finds the fairway but Mickelson pulls his drive into some thick stuff on the right. All depends on the lie from there. Is Stenson finally getting the upper hand now?
16.32: Rory McIlroy receives the applause of the galleries lining the 18th fairway. He needs a par for a 67. He's played really well today but it's been a mixed bag for the Northern Irishman this week. Meanwhile, Beef misses a simple par putt at the 10th and drops back to -5. Poor chap.
16.28: It's Henrik Stenson to putt first. Can he turn the screw? No, an inch to the right and it's in but it drifts by and Mickelson has a chance to draw level again. Nope, it misses to the same side and that's two pars for the leaders.
16.26: Forgive me for concentrating on the leaders but it really is ridiculous golf they're playing. Take the 9th hole approaches. Stenson went first and drilled it to 12 feet and then Mickelson steps up and sticks it just inside the Swede's ball. It's haymaker after haymaker at the moment.
16.25: And Kevin Pietersen agrees too...
16.24: Sure is Shearer...
16.19: It's a par for Beef at the 9th and he reaches the turn in a satisfactory 35. If he can hold this together over the fearsome back nine then he'll be in line for a very large cheque indeed. Go Beef!
16.17: BUT MICKELSON MISSES TO THE LEFT! STENSON LEADS BY ONE AT -16!
16.16: A BIRDIE TWO FOR STENSON!
16.12: Terrific shot from Mickelson at the Postage Stamp. It's pin high about 7 feet to the left of the pin but it's followed by an equally good one from Stenson who pitches closer to the flag but spins back to around 12 feet. Lovely control by both men.
16.08: It'll be Mickelson to fire first. Downhill, right to left, about 25 feet. And it's a lovely putt but it moved viciously at the end and misses on the low side. Par for Lefty. So, Stenson to take the lead with his birdie putt. MISSED IT! Two fours and still entwined on -15.
16.05: Both Stenson and Mickelson find the dance floor with their second shots but it's advantage Stenson as he leaves his maybe 10 feet from the cup. Mickelson, coming from out of the rough, couldn't get any spin on his approach and ran through to the rear of the green.
16.03: It's the end of the Open road for world number one Jason Day. He finishes with a par at the last to close on +1. Not his week.
16.02: Indeed...
15.58: Mickelson goes with the driver off the 7th tee and he tanks it well left. It's heading straight for the gorse until it hits someone on the thigh and stops on the path. That's a big break for Lefty. No such gamble for Henrik Stenson though. He goes with an iron and puts it safely in the fairway.
15.55: Lefty to putt first. And he's only gone and made his birdie! The guy's a golfing machine. Now it's Stenson, four feet, downhill... AND IN AS WELL!! Birdies for both men and neither of them is giving anything away. This is just ridiculous. They're tied at -15.
15.52: After some deliberation as to whose turn it is - both men have 74 yards to the pin - it's Mickelson who goes first, scuttling a little chip in that skids and stops about ten feet from the cup. Stenson steps up next, and sends a lob wedge over the top of the flag before spinning it back to around four feet. Delicious shot from the Swede.
15.50: Seems to be working...
15.47: Here's your leaderboard as it stands...
15.39: Three birdies in five holes for Sergio Garcia see him climb up to -5. Always a solid each-way bet in this event. That's why I didn't back him.
15.35: Gorgeous approach from McIlroy at 13 that sets up a much-needed birdie. He's back to -3. Back at the 5th and Mickelson's meandering 25ft birdie putt breaks hugely from left to right before coming up a couple of inches short. Solid par at one of the danger holes. Should be a par too for Stenson as he races one past on the left. Nice aggressive putt from the Swede. In it goes and they're locked at -14.
15.30: We have another broken club incident and it belongs to Thomas Pieters who's just had a nine at the infamous 11th. Can't blame him really, can you?
15.27: The back nine is really biting Rory McIlroy. He was imperious coming out but back-to-back bogeys at 11 and 12 have slapped him across his chops like a wet fish. Over on the 7th, meanwhile, it's Sergio Garcia who drops a birdie and goes to -4.
15.24: Stenson has a putt not unlike the one he faced at the first - and he three-putted that. He'll take a two-putt from here. He should get it too, as he lags it up to maybe three or four feet. I was wrong about Mickelson's putt though. It's probably only eight feet. Can he get it? YOU BETCHA! EAGLE FOR LEFTY! Stenson pops in his birdie and THEY'RE LEVEL AGAIN at -14!
15.22: Stenson and Mickelson are already slugging it out like bare knuckle boxers and after Stenson's killer birdie at the 3rd it's now Mickelson who lands a haymaker, bringing it in from right to left and leaving himself an eagle putt of maybe 12 feet. Might even be less. Stunning stuff.
15.18: Delicate little clipped approach from Beef at the 4th which rolls and rolls and rolls and ends up three feet from the hole. And he makes the birdie putt! He's -7 in third place alone. He's playing out of his hairy skin.
15.14: Birdies for JB Holmes and his playing partner Steve Stricker at the 4th. They're -5 and -4 respectively. Back at the tee, Henrik Stenson nails one right down the middle with that 2.5 wood or whatever it is he uses. Mickelson mans up and pulls out the big dog for the first time. Great shot too. Splits the fairway.
15.10: It's Stenson to putt first and he's taking an eternity to assess it. Finally he addresses the ball and off it goes... MAKES IT!! Another birdie for Stenson! Over to you Phil. MISSED IT! It's a nice strike but it drifts left at the death and the Swede leads by one again.
15.06: Second shot for Stenson from the middle of the 3rd fairway. Great effort from 152 yards and he'll have a 12-footer for his birdie. What's Mickelson's response? It's even better, that's what, and from the light rough he drops one just six feet from the pin. This is already shaping up to be a classic dogfight.
15.04: I suspect they both are. The drivers are staying in the bags, that's for sure...
15.01: It's Beef for a birdie... and it's a BIRDIE FOR BEEF! He's back to -6, six shots adrift of the leaders.
14.58: What a miraculous shot from Mickelson! It seems almost impossible to get it close but he does even better and it hits the cup and spins out when it looked for all the world that he'd gone and holed it. Over to Stenson. Uphill, ten feet... MADE IT! Birdie for Stenson and THEY'RE LEVEL AT -12!
14.56: The Beef Bellow is heard again! And why not? After all, it's a sumptuous approach from Johnston on the third, spinning it in to within three feet. Good lad.
14.55: The roles are reversed. Stenson goes first from the 2nd fairway and kills it to within ten feet. Not so impressive from Lefty though. He tugs his approach to the right of the green and may have to produce a trademark flop to extricate himself from there.
14.51: Question. Should I cash out my £1 bet on Phil Mickelson for £1.13? Now I know how those Leicester City fans felt...
14.49: Bogey for Beef! BOOOO!! He pays the price for a wayward tee shot at the 2nd and leaves his chip on to the dance floor short before missing the putt from 10 feet. Bother.
14.47: Stenson's putt from the edge of the green comes up maybe eight feet short and he'll have that to save his par. This could be a two-shot swing at the very first hole. Unbelievable. Here he goes... NOOOO! Pushed it left! Bogey for Stenson at the opening hole and yes, a tap in birdie for Mickelson. He goes to -12 and leads by one.
14.42: It's Stenson up first but his approach is under-clubbed and he comes up well short. And here's Lefty... WOW! Stone dead! Advantage Philly Mick!
14.39: Excellent outward nine from Rory McIlory who completes it in 32 thanks to a birdie at the 9th. Not a single bogey either. That's more like it Rory.
14.38: BEEEEEEEEEF! He's only gone and knocked it in! Birdie for Beef and he goes to -6, tied for third. I so want him to win it.
14.35: Down to business at the first as Stenson and Mickelson prepare to get their dual in the murk under way. It's Lefty to go first and he's got an iron out. So that's how he's going to play it then. Right in the heart of the fairway. Now Sten gun Stenson, also with an iron, and he finds the right hand side of the short stuff. No drivers? Bottlers.
14.31: Great shot from Beef as he hacks out of the messy stuff on the left and runs it down to within 15 feet or so of the cup. Big birdie chance for Beef. At the other end of the course is Lee Westwood who taps in for a round of 68 and +1 total of 285. We;lobe seeing him at the Ryder Cup, one way or another.
14.29: Darren Clarke dumps another birdie in at the 16th and that's three on the spin for the big man. He might pick himself at this rate.
14.25: Starter: "On the tee, from England, Andrew Johnston...'
Crowd: 'BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEF!!!'
14.22: Down on the first tee and you know who's about to get going? BEEEEEEEEEEF! Go on you big bearded beauty!
14.12: Have you heard Ewan Murray and Butch Harmon banging on about Tony Finau this week? They're both clearly in love with the American. If I had a pound for every time they've commented on his 'film star looks' I'd have four pounds. He is gorgeous though.
14.10: Something approaching a smile breaks out over Rory McIlroy's face as he rolls in another birdie on the 6th. There's back-to-back birdies for Darren Clarke too as he holes a monster putt on 15. He's a big unit again, isn't he?
14.06: Jordan Spieth's Open is over but the former world number one saves his best round of the week for last, posting an impressive 68. He played the back nine in -2 as well and ends on +2.
14.04: A little over 20 minutes until my bet for Sports Personality of the Year goes for glory...
13.57: Sergio Garcia and Patrick Reed are just going off at the first now. That should be an interesting pairing. Both are capable go going very low and both are fairly combustible characters too. We'll keep an eye on them, for sure.
13.55: What an eventful first hole for Charl Schwartzel. After that wayward tee shot on to the spectator path, he chipped his approach straight into the greenside bunker and then just holed that for a birdie. Who needs grass anyway, eh?
13.52: Reigning champ Zach Johnson drains a 12-footer for birdie at the third, despite a poor choice of handwear. He's -2 for the tournament.
13.49: Shocker of a tee shot off the first for Charl Schwatrzel. He's belted it so far left that it clears the galleries and pings off the stands. It looks like he'll still have a shot to the green but that was the wildest one of the day so far. Meanwhile, Bubba Watson - yes, he's still here - drops an eagle putt at the 16th. He's +4.
There also a birdie for Rory McIlroy at the 5th after he three-putted the fourth. Come on son, give us a smile.
13.46: It's the ideal start for Tyrrell Hatton as he rolls in a 15-footer for birdie at the opening hole. He's -2 and having a great tournament.
13.44: Something tells me Stenson's going to land this today, despite the stats suggesting otherwise...
13.40: Tidy stuff from Lefty...
13.30: Bad news for the legions of Andy Sullivan fans out there in golf land. He's bogeyed the par-5 6th to slip back to -1. Meanwhile, Dustin Johnson has absolutely carted one down the first fairway, leaving himself maybe 40 yards to the pin. Reminds me of me in my prime, just a bit longer off the tee, that's all.
13.20: Looks like the wheels might be coming off the Lee Westwood juggernaut as a huge, bellowing scream of 'FORE RIGHT!' emanates from the 13th tee. He's in deep you know what here. No such issues for Matt Jones just head of Westwood's group. He's just hold his second shot for an eagle two! Doddle.
13.16: Yes, he's just made a birdie at the 2nd but Rory McIlroy just doesn't seem in control at the moment. He's just yanked one off the tee at the third, miles right, and he's lucky they've found it to be honest. He just doesn't look like a happy camper.
13.14: What do you make of Sky Sports hologram style player profiles? Not sure it works. Football, yes. Golf, not really. Just a little bit too contrived as they pretend to look in the yardage books and/or adjust their caps relentlessly.
13.12: Just nine more pairings left to go out now and just an hour and 20 minutes until the leaders Henrik Stenson and Phil Mickelson renew hostilities. While it's
13.05: Rory made his par, if you were sat there worried sick.
13.01: Andy Sullivan has a mile-wide smile as he makes another birdie on the 4th. That's three in his opening four holes and he's now -2. Back at the first, Rory McIlroy digs one out of the rough and it so nearly hits the pin, prompting the kind of oohs and aahs you only usually get at fireworks displays. Shame it runs through the back of the green though.
12.54: First setback of the round for Lee Westwood as his lengthy par putt at the 10th dies on the low side of the hole. He's back to +1. Meanwhile on the first tee it's club chucker Rory McIlroy about to tee off. He's going with the driver, presumably because he hasn't had that 3-wood fixed yet. It's a great strike but it finds the light rough on the left.
12.45: Andy Sullivan knocks in his second birdie in his opening three holes but over on the 10th Lee Westwood is in some bother, finding the nasty stuff off the tee and hacking out with all the subtlety of a lumberjack chopping wood for the winter.
12.41: Tidy birdie finish for Danny Willett at the 18th. That's a round of 71 for the Masters champ and a final total 291 (+7). Not been his best week but he's battled away.
12.36: Lee Westwood pars the 9th and he's out in a birdie-free 32. Very impressive stuff. If he can just birdie every hole on the back nine he'll only be three shots behind Henrik Stenson.
12.33: Hello Ryan Palmer! He's only just gone and dumped his third shot straight in the cup for an eagle at the 6th. Must have been all of 100 yards too. Hello of a shot.
12.26: Back at the first hole there's a birdie for Andy Sullivan but his playing partner Jason Day is cat's whisker away from following him in.
12.18: Lee Westwood is devouring this golf course this morning. He's -4 through seven holes and is already back to level par. He's also just hit a sumptuous approach to the 7th from about 70 yards that skips and bounces and bounds down the green before the spin kicks in and stops it dead right next to the hole. You beauty.
12.15: It's strangely subdued around the course at the moment as everyone awaits the arrival of the leaders. That's not until 2.35pm, by the way.
12.08: There's a nice birdie for the Ryder Cup skipper Darren Clarke at the fourth to take him back to +3 but there's bad news for Jamie Donaldson at the evil 11th...
12.04: Astonishing shot from Lee Westwood on the 6th hole as he bumps it through the rough, up the slope on the side of the green and rolls it to two feet. That was genius. If I was wearing a hat I'd take it off to the Worksop Wonder.
12.03: Just a quick reminder about the upcoming tee times...
11.52: I take back what I said about Jordan Spieth. He's just bogeyed the Postage Stamp to slip back to +4.
11.45: Could it be Beef's day today? He's on -5, seven shots adrift of the leader Henrik Stenson. It's a big gap but you never know, not with this weather...
11.42: Interesting...
11.37: We're finally starting to see the best of Jordan Spieth today who seems to be blowing caution to the wind and just going for it. He's -2 for the day and now at+3 for the tournament, thanks to a lovely eagle at the par-5 4th hole.
11.33: The first man out today was Colin Montgomerie who teed off, on his own, at 0740 when most sensible people are still in bed. The local boy made good whipped round in 76 for a final total of 301. That's +17 if you're keeping count.
11.29: The weather doesn't seem to be bothering Lee Westwood. He's started birdie-par-birdie and is looking in fine fettle. Wouldn't surprise me if he sneaks into the top ten come the end of the day.
11.26: It's tipping it down at Troon at the moment and it's very windy too. The forecast suggests it's going to be much nicer this afternoon when the leaders go out but that'll be no consolation to the poor, bedraggled souls trudging around the course at the moment.
11.23: So its looking for all the world like a straight shoot-out between the leader Henrik Stenson and the 2013 champion Phil Mickelson today. It's going to take something very special to get close to those two, that's for sure.
11.20: Hello again. How are you? Ready for another thrilling day at The Open? I'm Gavin Newsham and I'll be here all day as we finally discover who's going to win the Claret Jug at Royal Troon...