Four days out from the start of the Open Championship at Muirfield, the four-time major winner looked to have thrown away a guilt-edged opportunity to wrap up the title following a nightmare 18th hole which saw him three putt from the edge of the green to record a bogey six, leaving him tied on 17-under-par with Grace.

Earlier, the 25-year-old South African had carded a final round 69, matching Mickelson's, and would surely have not expected the American to slip up when he only needed to par the final hole, to claim the £500,000 ($760,000/€580,000) first prize.

As it was, Grace, who was looking to claim his fifth European Tour victory, faced a play-off with the world number eight and triple US Masters champion, on a day that saw conditions become much more blustery than the previous three days of play.

However, Mickelson, who lost out to Frenchman Gregory Havret in a play-off for the 2007 Scottish Open at Loch Lomond, demonstrated his powers of recovery.


Playing the 18th again, the man from San Diego, who had also begun his round with a double bogey six on the first, produced a brilliant chip to leave the ball a matter of inches from the hole for an easy tap in.

Grace's approach came up 20 feet short and the Pretorian had to settle for the runners-up spot, despite a fine display on the final day, which saw him reach the turn in 32.

"This is really cool," said a relieved Mickelson.

"I have been coming here for some time and had some opportunities and I almost let it slip away today.

"To come out on top was terrific.

"I was so mad at myself for mentally losing my focus that I came out on that 18th pretty focused to make a four.

"I started coming here around 2000 or so and spent a lot of years here enjoying my time in Scotland and enjoying this competition.

"I've come close a couple of times, and to finally win, that feels great."

Coming into the final round on 16-under-par Sweden's Henrik Stenson held a two shot lead over the rest of the field, but three late bogeys on his way to a final round of 73 saw the Ryder Cup player finish tied on 15 under with fellow Scandinavian JB Hansen.

Hansen's round got off to the worst possible start as he quadruple-bogeyed the par five second before recovering to sink eight birdies, while Scotland's Martin Laird posted the best round of the day with a four-under-par 68 which saw him finishing on 14 under with Northern Ireland's Gareth Maybin and England's John Parry.


Attention now turns to Muirfield on Thursday (July 18), where Ernie Els will be defending his Open Championship crown which he won at Royal Lytham and St Annes last year.

Mickelson is hoping to continue his good form and mount a serious challenge for the title of Open champion, having finished tied second in 2011.

"This really was valuable [preparation for The Open], not only for the things I did well but because I have a few things I need to work on," he said.

"Today was a great day to have this type of weather because the first three days were very benign.

"I am anticipating this type of weather next week and if we get it, this week is going to be very important."

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