CASTLE STUART, United Kingdom: Phil Mickelson heads to the British Open in the best form possible after ending a 20-year European winless drought with a play-off victory in the Scottish Open yesterday.
Mickelson, and the highest world ranked player in the field, captured his 50th pro career success after defeating South African Branden Grace with a birdie at the first extra hole.
Both players had ended regulation play tied at 17-under par with Grace posting a 69 and finding his way into the play-off when Mickelson horribly three-putted the last hole for bogey in a round of 68.
Danish rookie J B Hansen dropped four shots with a quadruple bogey at the second and then raced into a share of the lead with seven birdies over his next eight holes before ending with a 71 and tied in third place with third round leader Henrik Stenson (71) on 15-under par. REUTERS
