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5 things we learned from the final round of the Open Championship
Since Saturday morning, we had an inkling that Henrik Stenson and Phil Mickelson would revisit the famous 1977 Duel In The Sun of Watson and Nicklaus. On Sunday, their ringer score was 59, 12-under par. That left the rest of the field to fight for exemptions and honor. As for us, here are the five things we learned on Day 4 of the 2016 Open Championship..
Henrik Stenson turned in the greatest major performance of a new era
For the week, the Swede finished 20-under par, equaled Mickelson’s opening salvo with a 63 of his own on Sunday, and broke Tiger Woods’ Open record of 19-under at St. Andrews. He needed every great swing, too, because Mickelson would not go away.
Related: Henrik Stenson’s Winning WITB
Stenson’s first major championship win was also the first ever for a man from Sweden, allowing him to join countrywomen Liselotte Neumann, Annika Sorenstam and Anna Nordqvist as titleholders of golf’s greatest tournaments. He also kept alive an odd streak of first-time major winners at Troon, joining Mark Calcavecchia, Justin Leonard and Todd Hamilton as Open champions since 1989.
The winner of the gold medal and the Champion Golfer of the Year… #TheOpen pic.twitter.com/v7BAPIxiXN
— The Open (@TheOpen) July 17, 2016
The most difficult four-hole stretch in golf
The opening quadrilateral of Royal Troon’s back nine can make a case for that award, averaging between 4.2 and 4.6 strokes during the week. Whether it was Bubba Watson tugging an approach onto the railroad tracks on hole No. 11, Rickie Fowler hitting two balls out of bounds from the fairway on the same hole, or Thomas Pieters snapping his approach iron while train-wrecking with a nine, there was little love for holes 10 through 13 this week at Royal Troon.
The Railway has claimed two more victims – Thomas Pieters and one of Thomas Pieters' clubs: https://t.co/9lYKl2XUQu pic.twitter.com/fVKN4bCUK7
— Golf Channel (@GolfChannel) July 17, 2016
Phil Mickelson has found an equilibrium in the heat of competition
He has certainly lost majors that he should have won, and perhaps those misses have given Lefty a sense of perspective as he closes out his career on the regular Tour. At age 46, Mickelson understands that guys his age tend to not compete well for major titles, but he doesn’t plan to go forgotten into Ryder Cup captaincy, Champions Tour membership or any other non-PGA Tour element. While golfers ahead and behind him were making poor decisions, biting off more than they could chew, and imploding each of the four days, Phil kept his eyes focused, his strategy consistent, and his shots on target. His loss wasn’t as gut-wrenching as Tom Watson’s 2009 heartbreaker, but it reminded us that we have been fortunate to watch him assail golf courses with abandon for over two decades.
Mickelson saves par. The battle continues down the last. #TheOpenhttps://t.co/J3w8RDnE81
— The Open (@TheOpen) July 17, 2016
Golfers who might build from Sunday’s round
Remember what jump-started Jason Day last year at St. Andrews? With a chance to join the title playoff on the final green, Day left his putt short, in the jar. From there, he went on to win the Canadian Open, the PGA Championship and the Players Championship over the next eight months. Rory McIlroy moved up 13 spots, into the top five, with a Sunday 67. Steve Stricker and J.B. Holmes each jumped up two spots, into 4th and 3rd places, respectively. On the other side were Bill Haas (75 to drop to T9) and Andrew Johnston (73 to fall 4 spots to 8th place) and Rio-bound Matt Kuchar, down 21 spots with a 76. Might one of these six golfers use Troon as a springboard to greatness? We’ll soon find out.
Return to sender. Kuchar went back and forth (and back and forth) at the Postage Stamp: https://t.co/LGYQDbQM6k pic.twitter.com/Z7byEzSn3x
— Golf Channel (@GolfChannel) July 17, 2016
England might have the brightest future in golf
Four golfers with the red cross and white field to the left of their name on the scoreboard finished in the top twelve, topped only by the USA. And their names weren’t Willett or Rose or Westwood or Casey. True followers of the game have known who the Andrews (Sullivan and Johnston), Matthew Southgate and Tyrell Hatton are for months, if not years. Brexit notwithstanding, the coming years should see a surge in wins from this new generation of English stars, heralded by Danny Willett’s triumph at the Masters in April.
A reminder from your friends at GolfWRX: Father’s Day is June 21. And as we do every year, we’re rounding up the best gifts for dad.
As we say every year, there’s no better golf-related Father’s Day gift than a round of golf with pops. Be it a country club or your favorite muni, take the time to get together to play 18 if you can.
Let’s get to the gifts.
Ghost Golf Qualifier Diamond Polo
We like the new polos that Ghost is offering, as the fabric and fit are so good. These new Qualifier Collection polos breathe well, are lightweight, stretch with your swing, and of course look great. You can wear them on the course, in the office, or just out at a casual event and they will fit right in.
STR8-Strip Grip Tape Remover
If your dad is an equipment aficionado and tinkers with his clubs, this tool works wonders. Removing grip tape has never been easier, just put a little head on the tape and the STR8-Strip peals it right off the shaft without any damage.
Why Golf: Putting Thing
When it comes to practice, it is good to have a purpose. This “Putting Thing” sure does it. We know from personal experience how challenging it can be and how rewarding it is on the practice green. This also provides some competition for your kiddo to see who will unload the dishwasher or do the next chore around the house.
OluKai Lae‘ahi Men’s Breathable Slip-On Shoes
Riding to and from the course in style and comfort is always a good thing. If you’re in a hurry, it’s a nice feature to slide into your shoes and get to the tee time. For the post-game shoe, at your locker or while putting your clubs away in the car. Nice to slide into a shoe that looks good anywhere. Pair that with meeting the family for dinner, no need to change!
Therabody Theragun Relief
A little wellness goes a long way. Keeping loose is a good way to go when it comes to the weekend game or treatment during the week. If there is a little ache or pain, the Theragun is there to help out. Help loosen up the back for a pre-game warm-up or cool-down.
World Cup golf apparel
Something for the soccer dads. Embrace the World Cup fever this summer on the course with custom gear to support the nation of your choice.
FootJoy Pro SL spikeless golf shoes
Give the old man a break and save his feet with the Footjoy Pro SL Men’s Spikeless Golf Shoes for some added comfort on the course.
Bushnell Wingman 2 GPS speaker
Combine all the hits as well as some game improvement with the Wingman 2 Golf GPS Speaker by getting audible distance readings from 38,000+ courses worldwide through the Wingman 2 remote or speaker.
Personalized Titleist Pro V1 golf balls
The No. 1 ball in golf is a safe bet, and the Pro V1 fits the largest chunk of the bell curve if you don’t know what ball pops plays. Add personalization for a, well, personal touch!
- GolfWRX may earn a commission for purchases made through links on this page, at no extra cost to you.
With the PGA Tour across the border in Canada this week, GolfWRX Tour Photographer Greg Moore stayed stateside and headed to the OccuNet Classic presented by Amarillo National Bank in Amarillo, Texas.
It’s always interesting to see what the guys are playing on the KFT, and this week certainly hasn’t disappointed so far, with some incredible wedge stamping on display.
Check out links to all our albums below.
General Albums
WITB Albums
- Ryan Palmer – WITB – 2026 OccuNet Classic (KFT)
- Mahanth Chirravuri – WITB – 2026 OccuNet Classic (KFT)
- Josh Creel – WITB – 2026 OccuNet Classic (KFT)
- Phichaksn Maichon – WITB – 2026 OccuNet Classic (KFT)
- Brandon Berry – WITB – 2026 OccuNet Classic (KFT)
- Ryan Burnett – WITB – 2026 OccuNet Classic (KFT)
- James Song – WITB – 2026 OccuNet Classic (KFT)
- Andrew McLauchlan – WITB – 2026 OccuNet Classic (KFT)
- Ian Gilligan – WITB – 2026 OccuNet Classic (KFT)
- Alvaro Ortiz – WITB – 2026 OccuNet Classic (KFT)
- Russell Knox – WITB – 2026 OccuNet Classic (KFT)
- Ian Holt – WITB – 2026 OccuNet Classic (KFT)
- Mitchell Meissner – WITB – 2026 OccuNet Classic (KFT)
- Travis Trace – WITB – 2026 OccuNet Classic (KFT)
- Bryce Lewis – WITB – 2026 OccuNet Classic (KFT)
Pullout Albums
Luke Potter’s custom Cameron putter – 2026 OccuNet Classic (KFT)
At GolfWRX, we are a community of like-minded individuals who all experience and express our enjoyment of the game in many ways.
It’s that sense of community that drives day-to-day interactions in the forums on topics that range from best driver to what marker you use to mark your ball. It even allows us to share another thing we all love – buying and selling equipment.
Currently, in our GolfWRX buy/sell/trade (BST) forum, @HuskerFlyer is sharing a Scotty Cameron GOLO with a BGT Stability Tour2 2022 M Edition shaft. While the putter is certainly enviable, the Augusta-inspired shaft is equally noteworthy.
From the listing:
Scotty Cameron Golo 6 with BGT Stability Tour2 2022 M Edition Scotty Headcover 34″ $375
To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link. If you are curious about the rules to participate in the BST Forum, you can learn more here: GolfWRX BST Rules.
Justin Rose WITB 2026 (April): Full WITB breakdown with new McLaren irons
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Cadillac Championship Tour Report: Spieth’s sizable changes, McLaren Golf launches, and more
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Kristoffer Reitan’s winning WITB: 2026 Truist Championship
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Best irons 2026: Best irons overall, most forgiving irons, and more
Cameron Young’s winning WITB: 2026 Cadillac Championship
Bud Cauley WITB 2026 (June)
Bud Cauley had >14 clubs in his bag when photographed prior to the Memorial Tournament. Driver: Titleist GTS2 (8 degrees) Shaft: Fujikura...
Hannah Green WITB 2026 (June)
Driver: Titleist GTS3 (10 degrees, D4 SureFit setting) Shaft: Mitsubishi Chemical Diamana RB 53 S 3-wood: Titleist GT3 (15 degrees,...
Asterisk Talley WITB 2026 (June)
Driver: TaylorMade Qi4D (9 degrees) Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Blue 6 S 3-wood: TaylorMade Qi4D (16.5 degrees) Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Blue...
Brianna Do WITB 2026 (June)
Driver: Callaway Quantum Triple Diamond (9 degrees) Shaft: KBS PGW 3-wood: Callaway Elyte Titanium (15 degrees) Shaft: KBS PGW 5-wood:...
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#6
Jul 18, 2016 at 10:23 pm
ZJ’s bald spot is hard to look at, somebody please tell him to just shave it all off
Ronald Montesano
Jul 22, 2016 at 7:45 am
He might not take the advice seriously.
NAB
Jul 18, 2016 at 10:08 pm
can the winning difference, -20 by stenton hendrik (lowest in the open history) vs top 10 average of -4, be attributed solely to human factor?
the top 5 or 10 at any open hv to b in top form with the best arsenal, after qualifying, selection, cut etc.
Ronald Montesano
Jul 22, 2016 at 7:45 am
He appears to be as fit as they come, shirt on or off. His arms are like branches of trees, and his swing was so repetitive, all week.
Jack always
Jul 18, 2016 at 6:04 am
63 last day say no more awesome!!
Ronald Montesano
Jul 18, 2016 at 6:22 am
Sublime final round with those two. We the viewers were fortunate to have access. Two competitors enjoying each other’s company but focused solely on their own performances. Golf lost to greatness is no defeat.
Troy Vayanos
Jul 17, 2016 at 11:51 pm
Phil showed that he can still play with the younger guys on tour and put up a fantastic performance. In any other major tournament he would have claimed victory.
Stenson showed great fighting qualities to win his first major despite many people thinking his time had passed.
Will be an Open remembered for many years to come.
Ronald Montesano
Jul 22, 2016 at 7:46 am
Perhaps he gives hope to Lee Westwood? Luke Donald? Sergio Garcia?
RG
Jul 17, 2016 at 5:28 pm
I was so impressed when Phil took iron off the tee on the par 5 then hit 3wood. There are different ways to attack and sometimes finding the fairway, even if you are further back, is the best way.
Ronald Montesano
Jul 18, 2016 at 6:24 am
A few weeks back, I played a tournament on a local course with seven driveable par four holes. I know, that’s a lot. The young guys hit driver every time and reached near or on the green with many. Problem was, many trees near the green would leave you ten yards, twenty yards from glory, but with no shot. My plan was to lay back with 4 iron on every one, over the course of two days. The plan worked, as I always had a shot. It took me some years to learn that strategy wins out over strength, but the lesson is a valuable one.
golfraven
Jul 17, 2016 at 4:36 pm
Glat to see Stenson win in such a style. Probably the best final round I have seen in a decade, that was special. I have walked a round inside the ropes with Stenson and he is really fun to watch. Once the putter is going he is unstoppable. Big win big man ????????
Redx
Jul 17, 2016 at 5:19 pm
Agreed. I thought JDay holding off Speith at Whislting Straits was a great display but this Open was at another level altogether for head to head battles. Phil threw absolutely everything at Stenson, who responded brilliantly. A duel for the ages I suspect.
All class Henrik, all class!
Ronald Montesano
Jul 18, 2016 at 6:26 am
I confess I hadn’t seen a putter that lit in some time. No crack in that egg, and a major title properly and rightly owned by a complete performance. I’m sure that Sergio watched and said, hey, there’s hope for me, but I still have work to do.
Redx
Jul 20, 2016 at 5:53 am
I think Sergio’s still got every chance RM. He’s fit, healthy and enjoying life. Plays a judicious schedule. Has a win on tour this year and has shown good colour in both the US Open and The Open. All positives. Wanamaker bid?
Ronald Montesano
Jul 22, 2016 at 7:49 am
Redx,
Baltusrol has a recent way of identifying repeat major champs, so it doesn’t bode well for Sergio. I wonder who his caddie is and how much he truly helps. In this day, that caddie-player relationship is critical. It might be time for a change, but is the proper caddie available? Maybe Joe Lacava?