Open champ Stenson revels in maiden major title

Henrik Stenson expressed his amazement at securing his maiden major title after the Swede secured victory at The Open Championship at Royal Troon last night after a dramatic final day.

Stenson carded a joint record eight-under-par 63 in his final round to see off Phil Mickelson by three shots, scoring an Open Championship record score of 20 under par.

The 40-year-old admitted his victory was made even sweeter by defeating a player of Mickelson’s calibre, saying the triumph had not yet sunk in.

“It hasn’t quite sunk in yet, but I’m very happy. Very proud of the way I played. It was a great match with Phil. It seemed like it was going to be a two-horse race, and it was all the way to the end. 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.”

He added: “Right now I’m running on adrenaline, but there will be some point when I’ll struggle to make it up the stairs when I get back to the house, I’m sure. Yeah, it certainly was. We managed to pull away from the rest of the field and we both played some great golf.

“It makes it even more special to beat a competitor like Phil. He’s been one of the best to play the game, and certainly in the last 20 years. So to come out on top after such a fight with him over these four days, it makes it even more special.”

Stenson’s sights are now on the final major of the year, the PGA Championship in New Jersey in two weeks time.

“Yes, we’re only just getting started, aren’t we? You never know once you open the floodgates what might happen. Yeah, it’s going to be a while to have all of this sink in. It’s going to be a much busier week next week than I expected. We’ve got a big schedule this summer.

“It’s PGA in a week’s time and then the Olympics. I was going to have a nice couple of relaxed days back home with the family. We’ll see how well that goes. Got any security personnel I can hire in here? Raise your hand. But it’s all good things that will happen. Yeah, of course I’m going to be out there trying my hardest in the week’s time at the PGA in New York.”