Stenson-Mickelson battle better than Duel in the Sun, says Jack Nicklaus
Monday 18 July 2016 10:55, UK
Jack Nicklaus has hailed Sunday's final-round battle at The Open as better than the famous 'Duel in the Sun'.
Henrik Stenson and Phil Mickelson evoked memories of the epic contest between Nicklaus and Tom Watson at Turnberry in 1977 as they went head-to-head over the final 36 holes at Royal Troon at the weekend.
A closing 63 on Sunday equalled the lowest score recorded in a major and gave Stenson his first major title with a record-equalling total of 20 under par, while his 72-hole total of 264 eclipsed the previous best in any major by a shot.
Five-time major winner Mickelson, who beat Stenson to lift the Claret Jug at Muirfield in 2013, had to settle for second place despite a flawless 65.
"I was fortunate to watch every second of the final round of The Open Championship and I thought it was fantastic," 18-time major champion Nicklaus wrote on Twitter.
"Phil Mickelson played one of the best rounds I have ever seen played in The Open and Henrik Stenson just played better - he played one of the greatest rounds I have ever seen.
"Phil certainly has nothing to be ashamed of because he played wonderfully. Henrik played well from beginning to end. He drove the ball well, his iron game was great, his short game was wonderful and his putting was great. Henrik was simply terrific.
"To win your first major championship is something special in and of itself, but to do it in the fashion Henrik did it in makes for something very special and incredibly memorable. I'm proud of and happy for Henrik.
"Some in the media have already tried to compare today's final round to 1977 at Turnberry, with Tom Watson and me in what they called the 'Duel in the Sun'.
"I thought we played great and had a wonderful match. On that day, Tom got me, 65-66. Our final round was really good, but theirs was even better.
"Henrik knew Phil wasn't going to lay down and just let him do it and it will go down as one of the finest finishes of all time."
Tony Jacklin also said it was every bit as good as the memorable 'Duel in the Sun'.
"Sunday was right up there with 1977," said Jacklin, who won The Open in 1969.
"The whole process of winning a major is about staying in the moment. If you are made of the right material, as Henrik and Phil both are, they are class acts, it's all about not getting ahead of yourself.
"Henrik showed tremendous resolve and self belief. Even at the prize-giving ceremony he said 'I haven't taken it in yet', that just shows how concentrated he was.
"Both players were out on their own, it was quite spectacular, and you could see the chemistry between them. It was wonderful golf in very, very difficult conditions.
"All power to Henrik and Phil. They deserve all the accolades they are going to get."
