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10 Things I Think…Henrik Stenson Style

1. Henrik Stenson is a fitting and deserved Champion Golfer of the Year. A 63 on Sunday at The OPEN puts him in the history books and probably makes him an official Scotsman now.stenson sit

2. He hit so many clutch shots its difficult to say what the most important one was. But his scramble from the rough on sixteen to scratch out a birdie when Mickelson was looking at an eagle putt was crucial. He avoided what could have been a two shot swing with that great chip and the lead stayed at two.

3. He and Mickelson were head and shoulders above the rest of the field and Stenson had some magnificent stretches of golf on Sunday. After a jittery opening three putt bogey he strung three birds together and was five under par from the second to the eighth. Another triple play from fourteen through sixteen put the tournament on ice and his closing bird was icing on his Open Championship cake.

4. He’s my kind of golfer as we saw him stripping down on the seventeenth tee to get rid of his long-sleeve under layer and finish in just short sleeves. One layer of clothes too many as he got really hot, not just on the course. Been here done that.

5. In the understatement of the week Stenson said, ”I felt like it was my time; I believed it was my time … and it was.” Oh boy was it. This duel will be remembered as one of the best of all time.

6. Stenson showed major class when he referenced his friend who just lost his battle with cancer both during the trophy presentation and his press conference. “This one is dedicated to him, for sure. I felt like he was there with me this week.”henrik phil

7. Mickelson and Stenson not only played unbelievable golf but were appreciative of each others fine play and acted as proper as any sportsman could. Many a time they were caught smiling at each other as one of them sank a long putt, made an impressive shot or ran one painfully close to the hole.

8. It was a classy display by two classy golfers who obvious respect one another.

9. Stenson joins Dustin Johnson as graduates of the Best Player Without a Major Club. It’s been quite a summer for that group.

10. Here was Stenson’s formula for his first major win on Sunday. Hit 79% of the fairways, 89% of the greens, use 27 putts (but 3 putt twice to keep it interesting) make 10 birdies to just 2 bogeys and post an Open record final round 63. If anyone could keep up with that god bless them.

Bonus. It was an amazing performance by Stenson and Mickelson played well enough to win but there can be only one. And Stenson was right, it was his time. His time to shine in an epic battle at The Open. We’ll talk about this one for a long time.

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