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| Meet Henrik Stenson Winner of the 145th Open |
Henrik Stenson won the Open in the final round with 10 birdies to outpace Phil Mickelson in the tournament. Stenson finished at a 20-under 264.
Said Stenson, “It hasn't quite sunk in yet, but I'm very happy. It was a great match with Phil. It seemed like it was going to be a two-horse race, and it was all the way to the end. I knew he wasn't going to back down at any point, and in a way that makes it easier for myself. I knew I had to keep on pushing, keep on giving myself birdie chances and he wasn't going to give it to me, so I had to pull away. I'm just delighted I managed to do that with a couple of birdies at the right time on the final stretch . . . .
It's not something you want to run around and shout, but I felt like this was going to be my turn . . . .
We managed to pull away from the rest of the field and we both played some great golf. It makes it even more special to beat a competitor like Phil. He's been one of the best to play the game, and certainly in the last 20 years. So to come out on top after such a fight with him over these four days, it makes it even more special.”
In an interview with Mickelson, Phil said, “It's disappointing to come in second, but I'm happy for Henrik. He's really a great champion. We've been friends for some time. I've always thought that he is one of the best ball-strikers in the game and that major championships are perfectly suited for him. I knew that he would ultimately come through and win. I'm happy that he did. I'm disappointed that it was at my expense.”
In the final round, Stenson holed five birdies on the front and a 15-foot birdie on the 14th. On the 15th, he droppped a 45-foot birdie and never looked back after another birdie on 16.
Stenson concluded, “If I didn't believe, I wouldn't be sitting here. It's a dream come true as a young kid – well, not that young. I was 11 when I started playing. But it was Ryder Cup and the Open Championship, those were the big early memories I had. So to sit there and hold this trophy is really amazing.”
Stenson received about $1,550,000 for his first place finish and 600 points for a race to the top in FedEx points moving his ranking to 14 from 51.
Said Stenson, “It hasn't quite sunk in yet, but I'm very happy. It was a great match with Phil. It seemed like it was going to be a two-horse race, and it was all the way to the end. I knew he wasn't going to back down at any point, and in a way that makes it easier for myself. I knew I had to keep on pushing, keep on giving myself birdie chances and he wasn't going to give it to me, so I had to pull away. I'm just delighted I managed to do that with a couple of birdies at the right time on the final stretch . . . .
It's not something you want to run around and shout, but I felt like this was going to be my turn . . . .
We managed to pull away from the rest of the field and we both played some great golf. It makes it even more special to beat a competitor like Phil. He's been one of the best to play the game, and certainly in the last 20 years. So to come out on top after such a fight with him over these four days, it makes it even more special.”
In an interview with Mickelson, Phil said, “It's disappointing to come in second, but I'm happy for Henrik. He's really a great champion. We've been friends for some time. I've always thought that he is one of the best ball-strikers in the game and that major championships are perfectly suited for him. I knew that he would ultimately come through and win. I'm happy that he did. I'm disappointed that it was at my expense.”
In the final round, Stenson holed five birdies on the front and a 15-foot birdie on the 14th. On the 15th, he droppped a 45-foot birdie and never looked back after another birdie on 16.
Stenson concluded, “If I didn't believe, I wouldn't be sitting here. It's a dream come true as a young kid – well, not that young. I was 11 when I started playing. But it was Ryder Cup and the Open Championship, those were the big early memories I had. So to sit there and hold this trophy is really amazing.”
Stenson received about $1,550,000 for his first place finish and 600 points for a race to the top in FedEx points moving his ranking to 14 from 51.
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