Henrik Stenson says winning BMW International Open was pivotal in claiming The Open title
Swede says 'I was very proud of the way I played' during emotional press conference at Royal Troon
By Raz Mirza
Last Updated: 18/07/16 11:31am
The inspired Swede produced a record-breaking performance to come out on top in a sensational shootout with Phil Mickelson on Sunday.
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His final stroke of the major masterpiece was a 20-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole that tumbled into the cup on the last turn. His 10th birdie of the round gave him an eight-under 63 to match Johnny Miller in the 1973 US Open at Oakmont for the lowest closing round by a major champion.
"I felt like it was my time," said the 40-year-old, who admitted that the confidence boosting win at the BMW International Open in June played a huge part in his turnaround of fortunes.
"I think the win in Germany I had a couple weeks ago was huge to get one over the finish line.
"You feel the pressure coming in and with not having won for a while, that always kind of builds up. It was great to get that win there. That definitely helped this week, and I felt that extra confidence was going to be huge for me coming into this week. I just played some great golf. For some reason, I felt like this is my time, and it was.
"It's a dream come true. The Ryder Cup and the Open Championship were the big early memories I had so to sit here with this trophy is pretty amazing."
It's a dream come true. The Ryder Cup and the Open Championship were the big early memories I had so to sit here with this trophy is pretty amazing.
Henrik Stenson
Mickelson hit a superb approach to the par-five 16th, but after his eagle putt agonisingly slipped across the front of the hole, Stenson holed from four feet for birdie - having missed the green with his second - to remain two ahead with two to play and he felt that hole was vital in his quest to become champion.
"The putt on 16 was huge. I mean, Phil missed his eagle putt, so it looked like it was going to go in, and I expect him to make every putt; you have to. And it just snuck by and I'm standing over a five-footer down the hill to keep it to a head. That was a very important putt to make," he said.
An historic 62 was even on the cards after a superb tee shot on the 17th, but after missing the birdie attempt there, Stenson made no such mistake on the 18th to bring a fitting end to an astonishing day.
"It hasn't quite sunk in yet but I'm very happy," the Ryder Cup star added. "I'm very proud of the way I played. It was a great match with Phil. I knew he wasn't going to back down at any point, and in a way that makes it easier for myself.
"I knew I had to keep on pushing, keep on giving myself birdie chances and he wasn't going to give it to me, so I had to pull away. I'm just delighted I managed to do that with a couple of birdies at the right time on the final stretch."
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