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• Jack Nicklaus says Troon battle beat the Duel in the Sun
• “Ours was good, but theirs was better,” said the American
• Also hailed Stenson for capturing his maiden major title

JACK NICKLAUS | THE OPEN

It’s official: Henrik Stenson v Phil Mickelson was better than the Duel in the Sun. Why? Because Jack Nicklaus said so.

The Golden Bear revealed he was watching the tussle at Royal Troon, which had members of the media drawing comparisons to the battle between Nicklaus and Tom Watson at Turnberry in 1977.

It was Stenson who prevailed for his maiden major title after a stunning eight-under-par 63 in the final round, and Nicklaus was full of praise for the show which the pair put on – finishing 14 and 11 shots clear of third-placed J.B. Holmes.

“I was fortunate to watch every second of today’s final round of the Open Championship, and I thought it was fantastic,” said Jack Nicklaus.

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WatsonNicklaus

“Phil Mickelson played one of the best rounds I have ever seen played in the Open and Henrik Stenson just played better – he played one of the greatest rounds I have ever seen. Phil certainly has nothing to be ashamed of because he played wonderfully.

“Henrik was simply terrific. To win your first major championship is something special in and of itself, but to do it in the fashion Henrik did it in, makes for something very special and incredibly memorable. I’m proud of and happy for Henrik.”

And the verdict on whether it was better than the Duel in the Sun?

“Some in the media have already tried to compare today’s final round to 1977 at Turnberry, with Tom Watson and me in what they called the ‘Duel in the Sun’,” he added. “I thought we played great and had a wonderful match. On that day, Tom got me, 65-66. Our final round was really good, but theirs was even better. What a great match today.”

So there you have it.

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Jack Nicklaus :: Duel in the Sun

How did you rate the Henrik Stenson v Phil Mickelson battle at Royal Troon? Do you agree with Jack Nicklaus? Leave your thoughts in the ‘Comments’ section below.