Mickelson and Stenson’s thrilling Open battle
Vintage players are hot in the 145th Open Championship at Royal Troon. Even though Phil Mickelson struggled with his swing on Saturday, the 46-year old American thrilled the crowds with a great ‘matchplay’ battle against the Swede Henrik Stenson. It was the 40-year old from Gothenburg who eventually got the upper-hand though shooting a 4-under par, 68. With his birdie at the 17th hole, he took the championship lead at 12-under, one-ahead of Mickelson.
As high winds were predicted on the course Scottish links on Saturday, the R&A took the very unusual step of not cutting the greens before the third round of The Open. A wise decision bearing in mind the hoo-ha created at the US Open earlier this year when balls were being blown off the greens.
Sweet revenge on the cards for Stenson
Stenson, who is ranked 6th in the world at present, has ten European Tour victories to his name but has yet to win a Major. He came closest to a Major title in The Open at Muirfield in 2013 funnily enough, when he finished runner-up to none other than Phil Mickelson. And that, interestingly, was the left-handed American golfer’s last tournament win. Victory would sure be sweet for Stenson at Royal Troon, if he could pull it off on Sunday. He is now for the first time a Major leader after 54 holes. Mickelson, on the other hand, is a five times Major winner and so is used to the pressures that the final day of a Major tournament brings. We’re in for a classy, see-saw matchplay feast of golf ‘a la Ryder Cup’.
Also in the Sunday mix of ‘vintage players’ is Soren Kjeldsen (41) from Denmark (pictured above left) and two Americans, Steve Stricker (49) and Zach Johnson (40). Six shots back from the leader, they’ll have their work cut out on Sunday, especially as strong winds of 20-25 mph are forecast beside the seaside. That should sort the men out from the boys, as they say. The stage is set for a wonderful closing scenario on the beautiful links at Royal Troon, a line-up which includes up-and-coming youngsters like 27-year old Andrew “Beef” Johnston. The bearded Brit from Barnet near London (pictured above right) has been playing great golf and enjoying himself in Scotland all week. Yes, we’re in for another truly exciting final day at The Open. Let the play begin and may the best man lift the Claret Jug!
Wendy Hoad
MAIN PICTURE: Henrik Stenson takes the 54-hole lead in The Open.