Mickelson wins The Open with brilliant 66

“To play the best round arguably of my career, to putt better than I’ve ever putted, to shoot the round of my life…it feels amazing to win the claret jug.”

Make no mistake about it. Phil Mickelson deserved it.

“This is just a day and a moment that I will cherish forever,” the 43 year old Mickelson said. “This is really a special time, and as fulfilling a career accomplishment as I could ever imagine.”

Mickelson, who just one month earlier lost a heartbreaking U.S. Open for his sixth runner-up finish at that major, found redemption at an unlikely place, The Open at Muirfield in Gullane, Scotland. The World Golf Hall of Fame Member won for the 43rd time at the major championship where he had only two top 10 finishes in 19 appearances. His final round included birdies on four of the last six holes and left him the only player under par at three-under with rounds of 69, 74, 72 and 66. Mickelson finished three strokes ahead of Henrik Stenson of Sweden. Masters champion Adam Scott, remembered for his collapse at The Open a year ago, had the lead after the 11th hole but bogied four holes on the bakc nine to tie for third with England’s Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood.

Westwood started the day with a two stroke lead, only to come in with a 75.As a result, he will hold on to the difficult title as best player to have never won a major.

Tiger Woods continued his weekend woes with a closing 74, making it 17 majors in a row without a win. After the sixth place finish, he is stuck on 14 major wins. Topping the record of 18 majors by Jack Nicklaus seems to consume the 37 year old.

This victory is a very popular one for one golf’s most loved, as was evident by the hugs from Mickelson’s instructor Butch Harmon, his manager Steve Loy and most of all from his wife Amy and their children, Amanda, Sophia and Evan.

“Best round I’ve ever seen him play,” said his caddie Jim” Bones” Mackay. Mickelson shared a long hug with his caddy of 21 years and whispered in his ear, “I did it.”

Mickeson captured his fifth major (three Masters, one PGA, one British) and showed that you can improve with age and wisdom.

The golf world will look forward to next June when the U.S. Open returns to Pinehurst, where in 1999 Mickelson lost by one stroke when Payne Stewart made the memorable 15 foot putt on the last hole.

The time will seem right for golf’s favorite good guy to take care of some unfinished business, a career grand slam.