Phil Mickelson pulls off stunning British Open victory

Phil Mickelson won the British Open on Sunday after one of the finest final rounds of his career.

Mickelson captured his fifth major title with a five-under 66 to storm up from eighth place and win on the wind-swept greens at Muirfield Golf Club in Scotland.

"I've had some of the best golf I've ever played today," Mickelson told ESPN after he finished his round. "It will be one of the most memorable rounds of golf I've ever played."

LEADERBOARD: British Open

Mickelson finished three strokes ahead of Henrik Stenson, who finished at even par for the tournament. Mickelson entered the day downplaying his chances of winning after finishing with a one-over par 72 on Saturday.

Mickelson birdied on the 18th hole following an impressive approach shot that landed yards away from the pin. He also birdied on No. 17.

Lee Westwood, who entered the round with a two-stroke lead, fell out of contention after a rough front nine coupled with Mickelson's surge. Westwood, still hunting for his first major win, finished tied for third with Ian Poulter and Adam Scott at one over.

Tiger Woods, looking to end the longest major drought of his career, finished five strokes behind Mickelson after starting the day two strokes behind Westwood. He shot a three-over par 74 on the day.

Woods ended up tied with Zach Johnson and Hideki Matsuyama at two over.

Poulter shot an impressive four-under round of 67 to move near the top of the leaderboard, but the day belonged to Mickelson.

This is such an accomplishment for me, Mickelson said. I never knew if I'd be able to develop the game and the shots to play links golf effectively. To play what is arguably the best round of my career, to putt the way I putted, to shoot the round of my life, it just feels amazing to win the claret jug.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Source: http://www.latimes.com/sports/sportsnow/la-sp-sn-british-open-20130721,0,1022237.story

Phil Mickelson Tops Lee Westwood, Tiger Woods to Win 2013 British Open

After one of the wildest British Open tournaments in years, it was American Phil Mickelson who held off Lee Westwood with a score of three-under par to win the 2013 championship and the world-renowned Claret Jug.

Westwood finished tied for third at one-over par, and Tiger Woods finished tied for sixth at two-over par. Still, Woods stays atop Mickelson in the world rankings, according to Golf Channel's Jason Sobel.

Mickelson had the perfect Sunday, tying the tournaments best single-round score by tallying a five-under 66 for his fourth and final round, cementing his place as one of the greatest of all time with his first career win at the Open Championship.

After making his final shot on the 18th hole, the veteran embraced his family, per Golf Channels Matt Ginella:

The American star also became the first golfer to ever win the Scottish Open and British Open back-to-back, per Golf Channels Jason Sobel:

Mickelson scored a 69, 74 and 72 over his first three rounds, respectively, to put himself in a position to succeed, and the final-round 66 sealed his victory at the British Open after an exciting tournament.

Image courtesy of ESPN Programming

The 142nd installment of the Open Championship from Muirfield in East Lothian, Scotland, was a wonderful tournament and a gracious host to a wild week of golf.

Andrew Redington/Getty Images

With Mother Nature not playing a huge role in how the golfers handled the course, the slight wind and fast fairways made this one of the most interesting major championships of the year.

The next major on the schedule for the 2013 British Open champion will be the PGA Championship from Oak Hill Country Club in Rochester, N.Y. on August 8.

After such a monumental win, look for Mickelson to follow it up with another amazing performance.

Source: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1711202-phil-mickelson-tops-lee-westwood-tiger-woods-to-win-2013-british-open