Phil Mickelson celebrates after a birdie on No. 18 all but clinched the title.
Credit: Reuters
Phil Mickelson posted a sparkling final-round 66 to finish 3-under par and win the British Open on Sunday.
The American left-hander holed a 10-foot birdie putt on the 18th green to move three shots clear of Britain’s Lee Westwood who was on level par with three holes to play. Westwood, the leader going into the final round, crumbled down the stretch and finished at plus-1. He shot a 4-over 75 on Sunday.
Mickelson, who started the day at 2-over, birdied the fifth, ninth, 13th, 14th, 17th and 18th holes and had just one bogey on his card at the 10th.
Tiger Woods also struggled much of the day. He started the day at 1-under, but shot 3-over and finished in a tie for sixth. He had six bogeys and three birdies on the round.
Mickelson won his fifth major title and his first British Open.
The American was clearly emotional as he hugged his caddie Jim Mackay and had a lasting embrace with his wife, Amy, and two daughters.
Swede Henrik Stenson finished second at even, with Brits Ian Poulter and Westood tied with Adam Scott in third at 1-over.
