Macao Open-bound Ryder Cup captain Darren Clarke in awe of British Open finale
The 2011 winner, who has confirmed his trip to Macau from October 13-16, joined the chorus of approval following Sunday’s showdown between eventual champion Henrik Stenson and Phil Mickelson
The chorus of approval that has followed Henrik Stenson’s conquering of the Open Championship – and of Phil Mickelson – on Sunday is still sounding out around the world and there was no keener watcher of events as they unfolded at Royal Troon than European Ryder Cup captain Darren Clarke.
The Ulsterman admitted to having his eyes on the leaderboard but his thoughts on the showdown with the Americans at Hazeltine in Minnesota in late September and early October as Sweden’s Stenson etched his name in Open folklore with a final round eight-under-par 63 for a record-low total in a major of 20-under-par.
It was an effort that has had the greats of the game wondering aloud whether they had ever seen a better round, or a better two-man battle, on the last day of a Major. And Clarke – winner of the Open Championship himself in 2011 – was among their number.
“When Henrik gets in the zone, whenever he really focusses in, he’s unbelievable,” said Clarke.
“So to go out there against Phil in the fashion in which he did – and with Phil you have an incredible competitor – showed that mentally he is just unbelievable. To have Henrik and indeed the Masters champion as well [Danny Willett] in our [Ryder Cup] team augurs well for us.
Stunning Stenson: ‘The Iceman’ captures British Open
