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Henrik Stenson sets Open and major records with his win at Royal Troon

By Keith Jackson at Royal Troon

Sunday 17 July 2016 21:17, UK

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Henrik Stenson said he felt that it was his time to win his first major and admitted it hasn't sunk in that he's The Open champion

Henrik Stenson created Open, and major, history with his phenomenal performance in winning The 145th Open with a final-round 63 at Royal Troon.

Stenson and Phil Mickelson thrilled the vast galleries on a memorable Open Sunday as they put a huge chasm between themselves and the rest of the field, with the Swede pulling away to end an epic duel three shots clear.

The 40-year-old becomes the first Scandinavian player to win a major title, and he was only the second in history to fire a final-day 63 to do so - emulating the feat of Johnny Miller when he stormed to the US Open title at Oakmont in 1973.

Winner Sweden's Henrik Stenson (R) consoles runner-up, US golfer Phil Mickelson on the 18th green after shooting 63 in his final round to win the Champions
Image: Stenson and Phil Mickelson walk off the 18th after one of the best duels in Open history

Stenson's winning score of 20 under was a new Open record in relation to par, eclipsing the 19 under par total set by Tiger Woods at St Andrews in 2000.

Jason Day is the only other player to post 20 under in a major having picked up his maiden grand slam win in last year's PGA Championship at Whistling Straits.

TROON, SCOTLAND - JULY 17: The scoreboard Henrik Stenson of Sweden's celebrates victory after the final round on day four of the 145th Open Championship a
Image: Stenson set and equalled a number of records at Royal Troon

The Swede's overall 72-hole score of 264 is another major record, toppling the 265 set by David Toms at the PGA Championship 15 years ago.

And it smashed the previous Open record of 267 recorded by Greg Norman, who fired a final-round 64 to win his second Claret Jug at Royal St George's in 1993.

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Sweden's Henrik Stenson celebrates his birdie on the 3rd during day four of The Open Championship 2016 at Royal Troon Golf Club, South Ayrshire.
Image: Stenson became the 27th man to shoot 63 in a major

The Ryder Cup star also matched yet another benchmark as he became the 27th player to fire a 63 in a major championship, three days after Mickelson became the 26th.

Spare a thought for Mickelson, whose final score of 17 under would have been good enough to win 140 of the previous 144 Opens.

How the 2016 Open Was Won

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