A final round of 66 saw the 43-year-old secure his second ever win on British soil, following his Scottish Open win at the Castle Stuart Golf Links last weekend, to complete one of the most memorable weeks of his career.

The left-hander finished the tournament on three under par, three shots clear of Sweden's Henrik Stenson following a run of four birdies over the last six holes, including a superb 10-foot birdie on the 18th, leaving him as the only player to finish under par over the four days of competition along the Firth of Forth coastline.

Englishman Lee Westwood's quest for a first major title continues following a disappointing round of 75 to leave him on one over.

The 40-year-old had looked in prime position to finally break his major duck at the 62nd attempt, as he began the day with a two-shot lead over the rest of the field but he ran into trouble at holes seven, eight and nine to drop back into the pack and hand the momentum to Mickelson.

Westwood was joined on one over by fellow Englishman Ian Poulter and US Masters champion Adam Scott from Australia.


Tiger Woods, who has won the Open on three occasions in 2000, 2005 and 2006, began the final day with a realistic possibility of ending his major drought which stretches back to the US Open at Torry Pines in 2008.

The 14-time major winner began the day on one under but a round of 74 meant the 37-year-old Californian never looked in contention.

Instead, it will be Mickelson who will be bringing the Claret Jug back across the Atlantic to add to his three US Masters and one USPGA crown.

"This is such an accomplishment because I never knew whether I'd be able to develop my game to play links golf," said Mickelson, who's best finish at an Open Championship was second behind Northern Ireland's Darren Clarke at Royal St George's in 2011.

Following South African Ernie Els' victory at Royal Lytham and St Annes last year, Mickelson has become the third consecutive player in his 40's to triumph in the Open.

Today's win leaves the US Open as the only major championship missing from Mickelson's collection.

Last month, the man from San Diego finished as runner-up for a record sixth time behind Justin Rose of England at the US Open in Pennsylvania, but revealed that despite that setback, he felt good about his game heading into the 142nd Open Championship, and 16th to be staged at Muirfield.

"The range of emotions I feel are as far apart as possible after losing the US Open," he said.

"But you have to be resilient in this game.

"These last couple of weeks, these last couple of months, I've played some of the best golf of my career."

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