If Turnberry had its famed 'Duel in the Sun' between golfing gladiators Tom Watson and Jack Nicklaus all those years ago in 1977, the prospect of a modern day 'Duel in the Wind' has materialised in this 145th British Open at Royal Troon where Henrik Stenson and Phil Mickelson are set to battle it out for the famed Claret Jug.
Stenson, who has strode the fairways these past few days with an aura of ownership, will carry a one stroke lead into Sunday’s final round. Seeking to become the first male Swede to win a Major championship, Stenson - who’d started the day one stroke adrift of the American - turned the tables with a 68 to Mickelson’s 70 to grab the initiative.
On a day of threatened strong winds which, for the main didn't materialise, the greens were left uncut and unrolled as a precautionary measure to prevent balls oscillating on the putting surfaces. And, whilst some, among them Jordan Spieth and Rory McIlroy, struggled to get their heads around the slow pace of the greens, Stenson remained cool and collected to reach the 54-holes mark on 12-under-par 201, a shot ahead of his pursuer.
Bill Haas, in third place but six shots behind Stenson, is the closest player to gate-crashing the showdown.
In truth, this has developed into a mano o mano duel that has the potential to emulate that famous shootout between Watson and Nicklaus. Only, this time, Stenson, aiming to address a number of previous close calls in the championships that resulted only in regrets, heads into the showdown with destiny in his own hands.
The Swede has played majestically, and intelligently; using irons and his favoured 3-wood off the tee with no need or desire to take the driver into play. The pivotal play of Saturday’s third round came on the 17th, a Par 3 of 220 yards that saw a two shot swing in Stenson’s favour.
Stenson had stuck stubbornly to his task, holing a critical 35 footer for par on the 10th just as Mickelson seemed to have the momentum. Then, after falling two behind on the 13th where Mickelson birdied and Stenson bogeyed, his response was to bounce back with a birdie two on the 14th. The game of nip ‘n tuck was in flow.
And, on the 17th, Stenson struck to claim the advantage. As the pair walked off the 18th green, Mickelson acknowledged Stenson’s birdie on the penultimate hole. “Henrik, that was a pretty sporty birdie you just did on 17,” said Mickelson.
“I’ve always been of the thought that it’s better to be one ahead than one behind, because that means Phil’s got to play better than I do tomorrow ..... so I prefer to be in the lead in that sense,” said Stenson.
Three years ago, Mickelson beat Stenson into second place in the Open at Murifield. This offers a chance for revenge, and an opportunity to become only the second player in his 40s to win a first Major. Darren Clarke did it at Sandwich in 2011.
“He’s one of the best to play the game in the last 15, 20 years for sure, and it’s going to be a tough match, but I’m looking forward to the opportunity,” said Stenson, adding: “This is the one thing I’m looking for (to win a Major). It would be the icing on the cake. But at the same time I’ve worked hard, I’ve put myself in a great spot. But still it’s whatever you want to throw the odds, but if I give myself a 50-50, it might happen, it might not happen.”
