Henrik Stenson went eyeball-to-eyeball with Phil Mickelson and didn’t blink.
The 40-year-old Stenson, trying to become the first Swedish man to claim a major golf title, shot 3-under-par 68 in the third round to take a one-stroke lead over playing partner Mickelson in the 145th Open Championship at Royal Troon Golf Club in South Ayrshire, Scotland.
“It was a tough day, as expected,” said Stenson, who holds the 54-hole lead in a major for the first time despite his nine top-10 career results in the Grand Slam events. “I got off to a fast start (with three birdies on the first four holes), and after a couple bogeys, the long par putt on No. 10 was a key. Then I got back on track there (on the back nine, which he played in a flawless 2-under).
“It looks like it’s going to be pretty much Phil and me, unless somebody goes out and posts something silly and we come back to them. He’s one of the best players in the game and ever backs down. I’ll have to do my best to stay with him.”
Mickelson, 46, who held the lead since opening with a 63 that tied the major championship record, battled with his swing for much of the day but managed a 70 with his uncanny ability to get up-and-down for pars.
However, after carding only two bogeys in the first 49 holes, he equaled that total by stumbling on the 14th and 17th holes.
“I didn’t hit the ball very well, the way I did the first two days,” said Lefty, who claimed the last of his five major titles in the 2013 Open at Muirfield. “I was quick at the top of my swing all day.
“Still, I was able to play a difficult nine holes in even par coming home when it could have gotten away from me and I was under par for the round on a difficult day. I don’t care how pretty it looks, I just want to get the ball into the hole as quickly as I can.
“Sometimes you have days like this, but just get the ball in the hole, it doesn’t matter how.”
Bill Haas was six shots back in third after a 69, followed another stroke back by Andrew Johnston of England after his 70 and J.B. Holmes, who was eight behind with a 69.
Steve Stricker recorded a 68 and was nine shots down in a tie for sixth with Tony Finau, who had a 72, and Soren Kjeldsen of Denmark, who struggled to a 75.
Patrick Reed shot 71 and was one more shot behind in a tie for ninth with Sergio Garcia of Spain and Charl Schwartzel of South Africa, who both had 73s, and Keegan Bradley, who had three bogeys down the stretch in a 76.
Defending champion Zach Johnson stumbled to a 75 and was 11 back in a tie for 13th with U.S. Open champion Dustin Johnson, who had a 72, while fourth-ranked Rory McIlroy was another stroke behind in a tie for 18th after a 73.
Top-ranked Jason Day of Australia shot 71 and was tied for 25th, No. 7 Rickie Fowler was tied for 43rd after a 76, and third-ranked Jordan Spieth and No. 5 Bubba Watson were in a tie for 50th following 72s.
Masters champion Danny Willett of England posted a 74 and was tied for 65th.
