Sweden’s Henrik Stenson moved into second place in the Race to Dubai following his stunning three-shot victory over Phil Mickelson in the 145th Open Championship at the Royal Troon Golf Club.
The former Dubai resident - who was already assured of a place in the season-ending DP World Tour Championship, which takes place from Thursday 17 to Sunday 20 November at Jumeirah Golf Estates, where he is an honorary member - went toe to toe with American Mickelson in one of the most fascinating Major championship final round duels in history.
The 40-year-old birdied four of his final five holes for a closing 63 – a new Open Championship record which equaled the lowest round in Major championship history. His 20 under par total was the lowest Open Championship score in relation to par, eclipsing Tiger Woods' 19-under-par record set at St Andrews in 2000, while his four round total of 264 beat David Toms’ Major championship record of 265 at the 2001 US PGA Championship.
In becoming the first male player from Sweden to win a Major, Stenson claimed 1,363,834 Race to Dubai points to take his season total to 2,865,560 points from 10 events, moving to within 300,000 points of leader and Masters Tournament champion Danny Willett, who has played 15 tournaments.
“It is very exciting to have both the Masters champion and now The Open champion confirmed to be coming to Jumeirah Golf Estates for the DP World Tour Championship later this year,” said Nick Tarratt, Director European Tour International Dubai Office. “A special congratulations must also go to Dubai regular Pete Cowen, who is coach to Danny Willett and Henrik Stenson alongside Mike Walker. With the tournament now just four months away the field is really taking shape with a genuine group of quality contenders at the top of the Race to Dubai.”
Runner-up Mickelson had an eagle and four birdies in a round of 65 for a 17 under par total of 267 that would have been good enough to win on almost any other day, while fellow American JB Holmes (69) was third, 11 shots back on six under par, and fellow countryman Steve Stricker was fourth on five under.
Northern Ireland’s McIlroy, Spain's Sergio Garcia and England's Tyrrell Hatton finished tied-fifth on four under as they each claimed 273,541, with Garcia and Hatton both breaking into the Race to Dubai top 10 as a result.
England's Andrew Johnston finished eighth to move from 26th to 18th in the season rankings after claiming 197,321 points.
Patrick Reed of the USA managed to break into the top 60 after finishing tied-12th in the tournament, claiming 107,511points to move from 70th to 50th.
England’s Matthew Southgate shared 12th with Reed and moved from 59th to 46th in the Race to Dubai rankings.
Stenson did the clean sweep in 2013 when he clinched both the DP World Tour Championship and the Race to Dubai and he then successfully defended the tournament title the following year. He has played six editions of the season-ending tournament to date.
General admission to the DP World Tour Championship is free of charge. For more information please visit:www.DPWorldTourChampionship.com
