Henrik Stenson and Phil Mickelson captivated golf fans across the globe at Royal Troon on Sunday, as they went head-to-head in pursuit of the Claret Jug.

While the rest of the field floundered in tricky conditions, the lead pair thrived, each driven on by the other and their determination to end the day victorious.

The pendulum swung back and forth during a tense final round but the incredibly high standard remained.

The contest drew comparisons to the 1977 'Duel in the Sun' between Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson at Turnberry with some arguing the Stenson-Mickelson showdown even surpassed that famous clash.

But was it the greatest final round at The Open? We asked golfing stars, past and present, for their views…

Tom Watson - Five-time Open champion

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Tom Watson believes Henrik Stenson's duel with Phil Mickelson was similar to his shoot out with Jack Nicklaus in 1977 at Turnberry

"It was a remarkable performance from both Mickelson and Stenson, just fantastic. Phil making the par putt on 12 and then Henrik in the last few holes just said 'I'm taking it'. It was very similar to when Jack and I had our shootout at Turnberry - the Duel in the Sun. People watch sport for the rare occasions like Sunday, it was a special day in golf."

Jack Nicklaus - Three-time Open champion

"Some in the media have already tried to compare Sunday's final round to 1977 at Turnberry, with Tom Watson and me in what they called the 'Duel in the Sun'.

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Wayne Riley goes through his top five shots from the 145th Open with Kirsty Gallacher

"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."

Martin Kaymer - Two-time major winner

"Mickelson and Stenson round was probably one of the best battles that I can remember. To shoot six-under par like Mickelson did meant he had a chance to win, but Henrik had a very good way of avoiding that. To shoot eight under in the final round of a major, trying to win your fist major, I have a lot of respect for that."

Danny Willett - Masters champion

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Masters champion Danny Willett was happy to see Henrik Stenson win his first major

"That's golf at its finest - duelling it out, playing great. A lot of people are saying it's reminiscent of Jack and Tom in '77 at Turnberry. It was unbelievable golf. I would be intrigued to see where the boys were hitting it because the scoring was phenomenal on that golf course.

"He is 40 years old and he's been in the game for many, many years. He's going to be massively popular, everyone wants to see the good guys come through and do well, and Henrik is certainly one of them."

Padraig Harrington - Two-time Open champion

"We've obviously seen different rounds with different guys where there's been a bit more drama. There was drama because Phil was there, but it was as consistent a round as you'll see out there. That's the best round of golf we've seen in the final round of major."

Gary Player - Three-time Open champion

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Gary Player says there is no better player than 2016 Open champion Henrik Stenson in the world at the moment

"Was it the best ever? Bobby Jones with a fat old shaft and a club face like a frying pan and a ball that went 70 yards less than today shot 285 at St Andrews to win in 1927 so we have to be very careful to say what is the best ever."

Tony Jacklin - 1969 Open champion

"Sunday was right up there with 1977. The whole process of winning a major is about staying in the moment. Both players were out on their own, it was quite spectacular, and you could see the chemistry between them.

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Former Open champion Tony Jacklin explains what it felt like winning the Claret Jug at Royal Lytham and St Annes in 1969

"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."

Colin Montgomerie - Eight-time European Order of Merit winner

"Forty-under-par between the two of them is just remarkable. It will go down as one of the great, great days. We talked about 1977, the Watson-Nicklaus 'Duel in the Sun' and it lasted nearly 40 years. We've witnessed possibly something better."

Butch Harmon - Sky Sports pundit

"For Phil, it must be pretty hard to get your head around it. He started the day one behind, went out and shot 65 and lost by three. How in the world can that happen? It happened because Henrik Stenson probably played the best round of golf that he's played in his life - and he had to. For Sky to broadcast The Open for the first time and we get this Sunday? Wow, that's special."