And The Champion Golfer of the Year....
Earlier last week, B&B predicted that the trend of first-time major winners would continue at the 145th Open Championship. We were right about that, but wrong about our projected champion being Sergio Garcia (though Sergio did play well). Henrik Stenson emerged as the Champion Golfer of the Year after an incredible duel with Phil Mickelson.
Actually, let's take a moment and digest what we saw on Sunday. Put aside the hyperbole and catchphrases (Duel in the Sun Part 2, etc). The final group on Sunday produced some of the most dramatic stroke play golf you will ever see at a major championship. Phil and Henrik, right from the first tee, distanced themselves from the rest of the feel. The final round of the Open Championship felt like a heavyweight boxing match with the lead changing throughout the day.
By the time Stenson and Mickelson arrived at the 12th hole, they were tied. The final seven holes felt like match play with the competitors all square. While there was golf going on elsewhere in the golf course, the entire golfing universe was focused on Phil Mickelson and Henrik Stenson.
In the end, despite brilliant play from Lefty, Henrik Stenson's putter simply would not be denied. Stenson arrived at the 18th hole with a two-shot lead. This followed a superb up and down by Mickelson who was behind the green on No. 17 and had about 12 feet left to save par. Stenson's tee shot landed 15 inches from the bunker - the same bunker that Greg Norman found on his 72nd hole nearly 4 decades ago. Stenson put a cap on his championship run by draining an 18 footer for a 63. It was the first time a player shot a 63 in the final round of a major to win since Johnny Miller did it at Oakmont in the US Open.
The year's final major is only two-weeks away. The PGA Championship will be contested at Baltustrol. The last time the PGA was held there, it was Phil Mickelson capturing his 2nd career major. Phil is riding a lot of momentum so don't be surprised if he wins there again.
Actually, let's take a moment and digest what we saw on Sunday. Put aside the hyperbole and catchphrases (Duel in the Sun Part 2, etc). The final group on Sunday produced some of the most dramatic stroke play golf you will ever see at a major championship. Phil and Henrik, right from the first tee, distanced themselves from the rest of the feel. The final round of the Open Championship felt like a heavyweight boxing match with the lead changing throughout the day.
By the time Stenson and Mickelson arrived at the 12th hole, they were tied. The final seven holes felt like match play with the competitors all square. While there was golf going on elsewhere in the golf course, the entire golfing universe was focused on Phil Mickelson and Henrik Stenson.
In the end, despite brilliant play from Lefty, Henrik Stenson's putter simply would not be denied. Stenson arrived at the 18th hole with a two-shot lead. This followed a superb up and down by Mickelson who was behind the green on No. 17 and had about 12 feet left to save par. Stenson's tee shot landed 15 inches from the bunker - the same bunker that Greg Norman found on his 72nd hole nearly 4 decades ago. Stenson put a cap on his championship run by draining an 18 footer for a 63. It was the first time a player shot a 63 in the final round of a major to win since Johnny Miller did it at Oakmont in the US Open.
The year's final major is only two-weeks away. The PGA Championship will be contested at Baltustrol. The last time the PGA was held there, it was Phil Mickelson capturing his 2nd career major. Phil is riding a lot of momentum so don't be surprised if he wins there again.
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