Henrik Stenson sets Open and major records with his win at Royal Troon
By Keith Jackson at Royal Troon
Last Updated: 17/07/16 9:17pm
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.
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.
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.
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.
