Even though it was Tom Watson who won that Open, which became famous as “The Duel in the Sun”, it was truly a match between champions that no one will ever forget. Nicklaus had already won the Open twice, while Watson only once, when they met in Turnberry.
It was clear from the start that they were playing in their natural habitat when in the third round they both hit 65 shots to undo everyone else.
The Duel in the Sun, story
On Sunday they would be ready for a head-to-head.
They challenged each other for 17 holes when at the end he missed a putt from one meter and twenty. Watson had a one shot lead on the last hole. It was 1977. 39 years later, the “duel in the sun of the modern era” Nicklaus pocketed a long 14-meter putt at 18, but it wasn’t enough to overtake Watson who would only need a short tap-in for the win and a memorable conclusion to a great tournament.
In one of the greatest golf shows the Open has ever seen, Henrik Stenson, aged 40, became the first Swede to claim a men’s major title in 2016 with his victory at the 145th Open championship. The final round was an extraordinary demonstration of head to head, as Stenson and Mickelson, who came out in the last match of the day, completely detached themselves in the standings from the rest of the field and alternating spectacular shots at the limit of theatricality.
Now, although Mickelson is nearly on Watson’s level among the all-time greats, Stenson, as likeable and talented as he is, is not Nicklaus. Troon doesn’t have the stunning beauty of Turnberry (which is just down the road).
Also, there was no sunshine for most of the day until he peeped here and there towards the end of the round, when Stenson gave it his all with his putter, playing the last five holes in four under. par. However, Mickelson, a second-place expert, was able to find a connection with the Duel in the Sun, when Watson prevailed with a shot on Nicklaus.
“Of course it crossed my mind out there today when Jack and Tom clashed in ’77,” said Mickelson, who finished runner-up in a major for the eleventh time. “I would rather have been more Tom than Jack.”
Stenson won with -20 with a record-breaking final round in 63 strokes. Mickelson at -17 with four days of flawless golf. How extraordinary was their game? J.B. Holmes finished third with a total of -6 …
