Hole-for-hole, Henrik Stenson and Phil Mickelson did battle.
On Sunday, the Open continued in its two-horse race theme with both men refusing to give an inch in the hope of lifting the Claret Jug.
Stenson finally edged in front after a frankly ludicrous putt on 15 when, according to NBC, he put more than one stroke between his nearest rival for the first time in 19 holes.
He’s holed it. Two shot lead for Stenson with three to play. #TheOpenhttps://t.co/xCrK3OtiXK
— The Open (@TheOpen) July 17, 2016
The world number six holed from 50 feet, walking the ball into the cup and allowing himself a passionate celebration with the resultant breathing space in the duel.
And Stenson clutched that momentum and became the first man from Sweden to win a golf major as he held Mickelson off through the final three holes to claim glory with a closing 63 at Royal Troon.
The back-and-forth nature of Sunday had many believing that it was the most entertaining final round in major championship history and it would be difficult to dispute that assertion after what we’ve just seen.
We just witnessed the greatest final round in major championship history. Unreal performance by Stenson.
— College Golf (@College_Golfers) July 17, 2016
Without question the greatest final round I have ever seen #TheOpen
— RYAN METCALFE (@RyanMetcalfePGA) July 17, 2016
What a final round!! Great playing Henrik Stenson! One of the greatest final rounds in #TheOpen history! First Swedish🇸🇪male to win a major!
— Tony Meyer (@TonyCMeyer) July 17, 2016
https://twitter.com/MattSelt/status/754730416783982592
https://twitter.com/ConorPacKelly/status/754730629112164352
https://twitter.com/BrendanPelly/status/754730733889986561
Surely the greatest final round in Major Championship history?!? That was so special to watch – huge congrats @henrikstenson #TheOpen #63
— Andrew Harding (@AndrewHarding9) July 17, 2016
https://twitter.com/STEVEMACDONAL17/status/754731350800891904
The greatest final round in history. Amazing @henrikstenson and @gareth_lord. #TheOpen pic.twitter.com/Q8diq3NV47
— ᴅᴏᴄ – GOLFCENTRALDAILY.com (@GolfCentralDoc) July 17, 2016
https://twitter.com/WillLicon/status/754732943692607488
https://twitter.com/DaveZarvan/status/754735989130747908
Shoot 65 and lose to a guy who shoots 63. Greatest final round pairing in the history of championship (major) golf. Simply incredible #golf
— Father of three (@CJ_Casselman) July 17, 2016
https://soundcloud.com/user-787320910/the-gaa-hour-with-colm-parkinson-new-donegal-and-dubs-versus-the-spread
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