TROON, Scotland—One hole on this blustery, chilly Saturday and the leader became the chaser, the hunted the hunter. For the first time in the 145th British Open, the man in front when the final putt was holed was not Phil Mickelson.
First place after 54 holes belongs to Henrik Stenson, who at 40 probably is nearer his first major championship than anytime in his career, having swept from one stroke behind to one in front on a 178-yard par-three that like most of the back nine at Royal Troon plays into a wind that at times gusted above 25 mph.
Stenson hit a beautiful 3 iron some 10 feet from the pin and made a birdie two. Mickelson missed the green left and had a bogey four. Like that, Stenson went from a cumulative 12-undr par to 12, while Mickelson went from 12 to 11.
That’s the way they ended up after pars at 18, Stenson shooting a three-under 68 for a 12-under 201 on the par-71 links, Mickelson a one-under 70 for an 11-under 202. After jumping ahead Thursday with the Open and major championship recording tying 63, Mickelson finds himself behind.
“I was off today,” said Mickelson, who at 46 plus is attempting to become the oldest Open winner since 1867. “I didn’t have my best stuff. My rhythm was a little quick from the top as we started downwind. I was little bit jumpy. Today could have been a day that got away from me. Instead I shot one-under par and kept myself right in heading into (Sunday’s) round.”
After three rounds the Open in effect is down to two men, Stenson and Mickelson. Billy Haas 69—207, six-under is third; Andrew Johnston of England next at 70—208, followed by B.J. Holmes, 69---209. Stevce Stricker is one of those 210.
Of the Big Four, the lineup is this way: Rory McIlroy, 76—211; Dustin Johnson, 72—212; Jason Day, 71—214; Jordan Spieth, 72—218.
Mickelson and Stenson will be paired in the last twosome Sunday as they were Saturday. Mickelson said he will not go at it as match play. Stenson, 41, who was second to Phil in the 2013 Open at Muirfield, said he would approach somewhat as match play—head-to-head—as well as use his planned strategy.
Mickelson has gone about things conservatively, which is against his nature. It was here at Troon in 2004 he said he finally learned the nuances of links land golf.
“I tried to play a little bit more aggressive down the downwind holes,” said Mickelson. “That’s when I started to get jumpy and anxious. That’s not how I play my best.
“Sometimes it’s better not to be aggressive. I think it potentially cost me a couple of shots, like on the par-fives, four and six, trying to get the ball down there too far.”
Mickelson said hew was in between clubs at 17 and that’s why he missed the green.
“The game of golf comes and goes,” said Mickelson, who has won five majors. “Most important is to find a way to get the ball in the hole.”
Stenson, a Swede, could break the streak of six consecutive American winds in the Opens played at Troon.
“The key moment,” said Stenson of his round, “was 10. I make a 35-footer for par to stay in the ballgame.”
With a comment like that he sounds like he’s from the U.S., not Scandinavia.
- Newsday