The Open: Henrik Stenson salutes Royal Birkdale fans
Last Updated: 23/07/17 7:05pm
Henrik Stenson paid tribute to the crowds at Royal Birkdale after signing off with a level-par 70 at the Southport links.
The Swede was unable to defend The Open title, finishing in a tie for 11th place on three under, but was delighted with the response he received as he negotiated the course.
"It's been great," he said. "The crowds have been amazing. The reception over the last couple of days, walking up basically to every green and down every fairway has been amazing.
"They certainly didn't forget what we did last year. So for me, together with the Ryder Cup, it's the best feeling to play golf in front of these fans and get their appreciation. So it's been a great week."
Stenson had been hoping to launch a final-round assault on overnight leader Jordan Spieth, but his challenge was ended by three bogeys on the front nine, although he recovered with three birdies on the way home.
"It was certainly a tougher day again," he added.
"I think most of the good scoring today would have come fairly early in the day. And it was a day where you feel like you want to go out and make birdies like you made yesterday in the good conditions, but the wind picked up as we went on and the pin positions are certainly tougher today.
"So whenever you're out of position, it's easy to make mistakes. I made a few on the front nine and they cost me.
"I hit the turn at three over. And I had to dig really deep to make a couple of birdies coming home, and kind of get the day back in order.
"I don't think level par is a bad score, but it cost me with a bad start. That kind of cost me. I was always fighting to come back. And it would have been nice to be a couple of shots better, for sure."
Stenson has been struggling to rediscover his best form this season, but he drew some encouragement from his performance this week.
"It's a work in progress," added the 41-year-old. "There have been some highlights throughout the week, I'd say, and especially the way I played and putted yesterday.
"So there are certainly some positives to bring, even though I didn't feel like overall I played my best. But I haven't done that for a while. So we keep on working away."
Branden Grace was unable to match his Saturday fireworks as he followed up his history-making 62 with a level-par 70.
The 29-year-old South African mixed two birdies with two bogeys to end up in a tie for sixth place on four-under 276, his highest Open finish.
"Being in the mix in a major is always tough. It's never easy," he said.
"And the weather never made it that easy where it's going to be a birdie-fest out there. Yesterday was calm conditions. I took advantage of it. Today I thought a couple under was going to be a good shot.
"I'm happy with the finish. If you told me after making the cut, you're going to finish tied sixth I would have taken it. But then again with being in the history books, I'm stoked.
"It's the best major finish I've had at an Open. So for me, there are a lot of positives to take from this week."
