15/07/2013 Golf: Scottish Open

both weather and golf we have had by the banks of the Moray Firth at

Inverness at Castle Stuart golf club for the Scottish Open. Indeed, what

a blistering summer of sport we have had. Andy Murray ignited a wildfire

of celebration after winning Wimbledon, but this week golf is

firmly in the spotlight again with the Open Championship just around

the corner on Thursday. This Scottish Open is much more than just

of June up, it is a tremendous title to have on your CV in itself, as

many of the worlds leading golfers will tell you. It is all over, a

worthy winner and a gentle man. Some cracking golf. Four rounds under 70

and the champion. The winner from Italy, Eduardo Molinari. Well done.

A sensational day's work. It would be king of the castle here for the

third year? We had seven major champions starting out in the field,

amongst them Phil Mickelson and the reigning open champion Ernie Els,

but by the halfway stage there was a Scot in charge because Glasgow's

all within four shots of the lead. Blistering temperatures over the

last few days, in fact four underpar equalled the lowest halfway cut mark

this season. These players would not be part of our weekend birdie -fest

in Inverness. Five-time tournament winner Branden Grace was in hot

pursuit, the South African moving to 12 under as the heat and momentum

built on this third day. Ross Fisher's went 12 under par, and the

former Ryder Cup star was on a roll, along second hole chasing this

one. This year has seen another renaissance for the mere curial

Henrik Stenson and the Swede who turned 64 on Friday was on fire

again on Saturday. He was 12 under, now called Ross Fisher catapult

himself into the outright lead? You bet he could, he went 14 under. Four

time major winner Phil Mickelson's round exploded into life from the

eighth hole. This year's Spanish champion set up an eagle chance with

this beautifully judged iron shot, moving to 13 under in total. A

cramped leaderboard with Ross Fisher in pole position. Overnight leader

Chris Doak, manfully holding his place. It is over to the

commentators now, and Phil again. Another birdie chance, four

little bit at the moment. It has been a nerve jangling start to this

round but he's hanging in there on par. Phil Mickelson once again, this

putt should turn to his right. If you miss reads -- a few misreads,

but still capable of the magic, we know that. There will be a few

has settled down, and now he will feel a whole lot better. Two birdies

now, so back even for the day. narrow entrance. This is a brilliant

effort, and every chance of the Ross. A great opportunity here for

Stenson, a pretty level putt. It should come from right to left the

little as it loses pace, but this is a majestic shot that settled him in

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here for his putt. Excellent par-3, Branden Grace in the middle.

Perfect, he has played some wonderful stuff. Glorious views

along the Moray Firth, over to Loch Ness, where the monster dwells.

People have asked me whether it exists, of course it does. Where

would Scottish tourism be without he's battling to keep the six off

his card. Branden Grace missed a couple of opportunities but a lovely

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four. Come on, you can putt it from there. Nice, good/ -- good stroke.

You birdies now so he's just one place behind the leader Ross Fisher,

the six, in the end he did well to touch. I think we can put Phil down

it up quick enough, but it is awkward. He has done pretty well.

Mickelson to birdie the 16th for the third straight day. He is starting

to fall in love with Castle Stuart. I think the courtship was a pretty

short one, I think it was love at first sight! He has made unforced

error, he missed it on the left with the pin on the left, but it will be

forgotten if he can brush this morning. -- this one in. Wonderful.

And that I think will give him a hole, a very good birdie. Branden

Grace with a chance to take the lead. On his own at 13. He has had a

quiet spell on the greens, missed his chances, and here is another

one. Putting together an excellent the Moray Firth. Whale at the top of

your picture, that is Loch Ness running from Inverness all the way

south. A lovely part of the world, the Scottish Highlands. We don't

always see them in these weather conditions! I think you are too

modest there. Southgate is still new in his career. Has only been a

professional for two seasons. Going through that period of time where

you just need to feel confident, feel like you belong. He plays with

a smile on his face, and that makes him an appealing character. It is

more conventional. He needed to fit that perfectly. 17 has not been kind

week, he has hit some wonderful shots, he has adapted to the bounce,

as well as the slower parting service -- surface. Of the fairway.

Good recovery from the Englishmen. gets windy, it gets lower, the ball

starts to creep back, it could be an Grace. He is one of the four men at

the top, he might just pick that spot by himself if he knocks Latin.

All sorts of crazy things can happen trouble off the tee. Great recovery

but he has not taken the chance. putting for par, you will miss one.

shot. This would put him in the Branden Grace. Four birdies in the

African, still sharing a lead. Phil Mickelson is on the 18th. 64 from

Gareth Maybin, the best of the week. Raphael Jacquelin, missing the cut

in the national open last week. Disappointing for him. It would make

up for it if you lift the trophy after victory in Ireland. That is

for par. The smile is back on his face. 68 today, 11 under, two behind

the leader. Phil Mickelson is well wall of the bunker. It is still a

tricky golf course, even though the flags were out there. It is

difficult. If you get the right side of things you can make a lot of

birdies, without it, it is impossible. I have put myself in a

good position. After your victory in Ireland you said it was relief and

satisfaction. As the balance of emotion changed? It is still the

same feeling. I think it has really lit a fire under me, I can really

play some great golf for the rest of this season. And iron off the tee

Particularly coming out of the rough to get that. Superb. Some grass

behind the ball of Chris Doak. He will not yet forward with a sand

phone for himself? He is right up there sharing the lead in the

Scottish Open, but this does not the short par four. This is for an

eagle. Down the slope from the right. That will make him feel

better. This is to get within one. he has not made much of long-range

Mickelson has just put himself in position to win his first European

tour event. A great sense of theatre, Phil Mickelson. Just 129

yards on the 11th hole today. Almost like a postage stamp. It fizzes off

beautiful shots. What ignited the charge? You want to get to a good

start because you have some great birdie opportunities and that did

not happen. On the eighth hole, I tried to slow down and be more

patient. I got one ball to roll in and that ignited the rest of the

round. I don't think that will hold up in the lead, the point is I got

in a good position for tomorrow's final round. I am really looking

though. Almost better. Lovely shot from Henrik Stenson. Canny role in

from Henrik Stenson. Canny role in a bad yardage. Ken Brown would use a

little bit of sand on the back food, wouldn't you? Yes, and the rate

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his second 66 of the week. This 16 OK. They both have really wonderful

birdie chances. That is a real overnight leader. It is certainly

getting cooler. The Moray Firth is coming to life. View to the Black

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many players in contention, it will Henrik Stenson. Another birdie. He

could have made two. Phil Mickelson, Branden Grace, Henrik Stenson now

all that 14 under par. Tied at the top. Branden Grace has missed a lot

of putts out there today. Scoring opportunities have been there. Now

birdies on the card. He will open up to that wonderful 64 in the first

to that wonderful 64 in the first round, and this is ? Uihlein and his

hopefully. A very impressive round. This is to join the leaders. In it

goes, from John Parry, it is a birdie to close with, it is a round

of 66. He stood still yesterday, but early. It is always difficult to

follow a low one. You always wanted. Today was a slow start but then I

chipped in on 12, it helped. Flawless golf from you, not a single

bogey, what has been the key from you? My high shots have been better,

what I have been sloppy over the last few weeks. I worked great hard

It is all about controlling your spin and He won't be pleased with

that. Back to one of our four leaders, Branden Grace. That putter

has really not done him any favours this afternoon. He has played quite

holed. Very aggressive play after a defensive tee shot for Uihlein on

this par five. Nice touch. A cheeky little spot here for Henrik

Stenson. That wind is coming from the right, so he can cut across

that. That is exactly what he did as well, a beautiful looking shot.

Branden Grace bogeyed the last hole, can he finish with something

special? A par five. He has gone right, let that leak away. He needs

to get lucky. He might just be OK. It makes the four hard work. He

really has missed several opportunities to get a terrific

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score going. Uihlein, with a chance birdie. This was the putt Phil

Mickelson holed and he did the same. Just a blemish on his card on the

17th. Back to the 15th, a tough hole this one. Especially with the wind,

had off the left. Only three birdies so far here today. That is a

Hansen what to do, pretty hard to repeat it. It has gone left. It

seemed to nestle down. If you get a good lie that might not be the worst

place to be. He really is one of the finest strikers, Henrik Stenson.

pedigree after last year and I wonder what it is about this style

of golf that appeals to you? I feel very comfortable in this state, if I

can put it this way. The links here is just in me and obviously last

year with Daniel but I feel very comfortable. I am a field player and

I like visualising the shots, and you need that around a links

course. Southgate also has his jersey on now. On the 13th green,

and you can see what it means. has been pretty dreadful for him

since the start of the season but he is enjoying himself out here. Henrik

Stenson in pole position but some Settle down. Quite a change in the

conditions as we move on past six o'clock in the evening on the

Scottish Highlands. That red line gives an indication of where it is

going, and there is your answer. It is an absolute beauty. It really is.

After a well played, ill-advised pitch shot, he has this downhill

left-to-right shot for par. As you were saying earlier, the 15th is the

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most difficult hole on the golf had hoped and he has left himself a

nasty one for the birdie. Now, Simon Khan. Another wonderful links par-3.

Don't really want to fly the ball on the green, just short is preferable.

The trust you have to have on the bounce. Are we going to see another

one? Nearly! A great shot. doesn't break as much from the right

as it looks like. A good try. Southgate with a birdie chance at

15, this will be a great one. Yes, well done. I think there have only

been about four birdies at the 15th performance from the youngster.

Right in the middle. Simon Khan now for his two. Two rare birdies

back-to-back. Once again, this is a situation of reading the line. You

can see the top of the ball so you have to allow for the fact it will

jump forward, plus a bounce. It flew over the green, he said and sadly

comeback from him after the double dropped shots since that double.

Henrik Stenson leads with one hole to go. Raphael Jacquelin has 65.

down breeze, it takes away some of the options. He went through the

15th green, a bit of a fire. This is for the one over par. He really has

struggled manfully. If he can finish off reasonably well, live to fight

tomorrow. After birdies at 16 and players? It must be helping a

little. You would think in that situation that will feel like a

double bogey. Very good rounds, 12 speed. Let's see where this one

Southgate. Oh, no. He had just made such a wonderful birdie. Now

goes. We have seen a lot of that, straight left into the bush. You

have almost got to cut it up against that breeze. That is about the worst

shot he has hit today. He has almost missed the world. Watching a shot

like that is never going to help your confidence. Not wanting to

follow. You just want to aim it into the middle of the green and cupped

a little bit clumsy there. From the camera angle, it is five feet below

the level of the green. Ross Fisher, birdies on the first three

holes. He just adds to the bogeys. Hole number six is a reachable par

you can see, his sixth bogey. Stenson was very lucky. He has got a

perfect like me he will play a low shot, landed on the low level, then

run it up the ridge where the Hall is located. -- hole. A stroke of

genius. Despite the errant second shot, it will be a tap in to move

into 16 under. Deservedly so. That is the only bad shot he hit today.

Mickelson in the final group tomorrow if the leaderboards stay

like this. There would not be too Challenger tour last year, he

finished fourth in the rankings. will always be tricky pitching up

that bank. He has the advantage of potting a little bit -- booting a

hopefully she saw that. You can sense the raw talent there.

Absolutely. He is really impressive. Southgate, to try to drop only one

a tap in birdie at the 18th, and a round of 66, that is a popular

number today. The top four on the leader shop have all -- that top

four on the leaderboard have all shot 66. Henrik Stenson has played

very consistently all year, and now leads by two shots coming towards

the end of the third round. Hansen, to try and join the logjam

by the young Dane, just 22 years old, and his fellow Scandinavian,

Henrik Stenson, will offer words of encouragement to JB Hansen. 14

under, alongside Phil Mickelson, Branden Grace and Uihlein. Back to

17, and the overnight leader, Chris Doak, two over for his round today.

Committed follow-through that time. One of the few to landed on the

spectator the hard facts in that corner. -- the spectators need

protective headgear. How comfortable are you in these situations going

into the final day? We will see tomorrow, but it is great to be back

up there, in contention, get the adrenaline going, it is all about

being in position, and I am up there. I will just carry on doing

what I did today, hopefully that will be as good tomorrow, and I will

be the one to beat. It looks like a final pairing with Phil Mickelson,

what does that do for you? It is great, I have always enjoyed playing

with the best players in the world, and I try to imagine myself with

them, so I have a great opportunity tomorrow, and I enjoyed playing with

Phil, and they should be some good Excellent tee shot from Chris Doak,

let's see if he can convert. Well deserved. One of the best shots we

have seen in the last hour or so. It has been a difficult day. Suddenly

it is getting a bit better. He will good. Well played, kept the left

shop rather low. That was a suspect live. -- lie. Henrik Stenson leads

Maybin from Northern Ireland, 64. Chris Doak moves back up into the

bogeys on the 17th and 18th. In between, he played some very nice

golf will stop 12 under par, four separation. Spectacular views from

our flying eye over the Moray Firth. Over to the Black Isle, right up to

the very north of Scotland. We see this big tuft of grass inside his

ball, he will need to pick the club up. It helps if you stand a bit

birdies in a row. That would have been get out of jail free. He has

battled back after a disappointing day. Started leading the tournament,

and he ends the day five behind. 73 for Chris Doak of Scotland.

Uihlein wants to get another round in the 60s, he needs to make this.

playing the round back in his head. Still close enough with his

firepower. This is how it looks, Henrik Stenson will take a lead into

the final round. Phil Mickelson, John Parry, Branden Grace and JB

Hansen are all at 14 under. Gareth Maybin with the round of the day,

years at 13 under alongside Raphael coming into the picture, as does

Paul Casey. Chris Doak, the overnight leader, had a difficult

day, and retrieved a 73. Lots of his cool in the final day, as he

goes toe to toe with a major champion, Phil Mickelson. This is

one of the most watchable duos in golf. With 21 players within six

shots off the lead, there was a particularly large shootout

particularly large shootout particularly large shootout

brewing. JB Hansen, a terrible start for him, but he picked two shots up

at the next two holes. Phil Mickelson recovered one of the shots

he had thrown away. Only a single round in the 60s at this point by

Marcel Siem. Parise steadied things at the third to return to 14 under.

Event. , and much more of it to come with Henrik Stenson having extended

his lead to three shots. Phil Mickelson some four shots adrift at

14 under, and JB Hansen, clawing his ball, I noticed he was a bit

concerned before he played it. Amazing to make three birdies in a

row after the nine. He shows no sign That will be shot for Mickelson

after just getting one back on the par, then nine the second.

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Another good tee shot. He's not for the point near the tee which is

only seven paces wide. Further away fractionally than Stenson but on the

correct level. A chance for the fourth birdie of the day, he has had

a couple of bogeys as well. He just captures enough of the hole, and he

front, but he has managed a very good pitch. Stenson has his ball

jammed right at the bottom, which always makes it difficult to judge

how much it will break. It goes from right-to-left but he has to get it

nine, that is just astonishing. A fantastic performance by the young

Dane. You have just got to take your hat off. Even the little ones you

putted well. Maybin, also moving to 14 under, so things changing again

at the top of the leaderboard. JB Hansen, despite a quad at the second

gone. A bogey and a double bogey on the card, but it looked to be a

and he won't bother if he doesn't get any pass but he would rather

keep the birdies and the eagles. This is an incredible performance by

JB Hansen, five straight birdies. Martin Laird must have found the

putting touch which was missing birdies, and a super shot from

Maybin. Stenson, 91 yards away and agreeing that is not much bigger

brilliant second shot four Phil Mickelson, with a landing area to

get at it. There is a ridge just the par, he will not be complaining

the birdie chance for Maybin. Putting together two extremely good

rounds, 64 yesterday, and he is on 15 under. The wind has been

birdie for him. He knows Phil Mickelson will tap his in for a

birdie. That keeps a little bit of daylight between the two. We saw the

lovely spectacular pitch from here to the green, but this is for his

little awkward. It is a testy one. Third birdie in a row, fourth and

sixth holes. The other two are bogey and double bogey. Maybin, trying to

get up and down. It made a little clubby sound. Didn't get all of it.

Stenson has got one of these lies where the ball has just settles

JB Hansen will long remember, I'm sure. He does it again! Unbelievable

from JB Hansen. What a fantastic start. Out on 34, that doesn't even

tell half the story. A nine on the second. Unbelievable, six birdies

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nine, and a chip by Maybin. You can see he knew straightaway. He will be

playing next week, qualified at Sunningdale a few weeks ago. Always

a nice feeling. Played well in France in the top ten, and played

here as well. Gareth Maybin from Northern Ireland. A dropped shot,

but still out on 35. Things went a little awry for Stenson back at the

needed a little more. That is a shame. A very impressive young

Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open. JB Hansen alongside Henrik

is a poor shot from Phil. It is running like a scalded rabbit. It

will re-emerge. He has the most difficult shot you have ever seen in

your life, and probably only he can without missing one, and that is

what has happened. The South African slips back into the group three

behind. Can we please not take pictures? Thank you very much.

wonder what a mere mortal would do from here. It is certainly

manageable. Especially for him. Nothing to it. He has played some

typically Phil Mickelson recovery shots. My goodness, the Galleries in

Scotland have enjoyed them. This has just been the most astonishing

performance by the young JB Hansen. What is he going to do here? Unlucky

with the bounce. He still has a chance but he just got that down the

paper like a routine par, but we believe it, another one taken. This

is just stunning. It started with par, then had nine at the second.

His chance was gone, we thought. He has now had five birdies in a row,

at nine. Martin Laird, I good round today from Martin. A good run of

birdies at the back. That is is this since the turn. This is a really

good final day challenge from the American -based Scot. Here is how it

looks. JB Hansen, the remarkable young Dane, leading by one from

Henrik Stenson, by two from Phil Mickelson. What about this

performance by JB Hansen? Surely cannot get another putt for birdie.

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think that is the problem. Branden Grace, we have seen him trying to

cut the ball to make it fit the fairway. That is a daunting shot if

forward off that slope. Surely he a Hall's. -- eight holes. Right

now, it is as much about saving par. There comes a point when you

begin to realise where you are and what you are doing. Here is a man

who is 175th in the order of merit. You don't want to be aware of where

you are. It is just a mad front after that nine. -- mad run. Henrik

Stenson has missed a couple of short ones today. Not this time. Once

again, at the top, tied with the youngster, JB Hansen, who he played

alongside yesterday. Everything has been going in for the last pattern

-- for the last have to now. It is interesting, key drops his hands if

he thinks he has missed it. -- the last 30 minutes. It will take a

difficult shot to get it back to the location. He is close to the water.

Brave start. Brave shot by JB the green. From the edge of the

hazard. That is as good as we have seen. There is simply no quitting.

There it is, JB Hansen, in this astonishing round, tied with JB

Hansen at the top -- tied with Henrik Stenson at the top. Behind

him, John Parry and the very Henrik Stenson did in the last

with the second shot. It ran over. He probably feels a little bit

robbed. 318 to the pin. If you can carry it to the top of the hill will

chase onto the green. They like it, he likes it, it is coming up. Keeps

on moving. It will find the front edge, just about. It is a long

putt. Quite tight at the edge of the green but not too shabby. He will

conjure up something. It is an eagle birdie in a row on this . Asking for

more from it. That is why. It has risen, some grassy nastiness down to

the left-hand side, estate from Henrik Stenson. Here is Branden

Grace. 15 under. It should move a little to the right. An important

birdie. Back to the youngster. Another good putt. He is fresh off

the challenge tour from last year. He's going to putt this one, I think

he is just far enough that he can most go straight at it. -- almost.

Gareth Maybin. A very aggressive tee shot from JB Hansen. There is not

much to play with a tall with that wind direction, but he's done it

again, just. Just holding on. Another couple of yards forward,

that would have been down the slope. Another great chance. When you

consider the shot of Henrik Stenson here, absolutely perfect position.

I'm sure he did not expect to have front of the 13th green, John Parry.

Stenson? Phil Mickelson steals another one from the lead. It is

hotting up. He is one behind Henrik Stenson. He always has that face on

He has it. It gets better and better, more and more remarkable for

JB Hansen. Birdie on the 14th, he leads alongside Henrik Stenson.

Astonishing. Is slightly pushed -- he has slightly pushed this tee

shot. He is aiming to the right. Considering where he is, this is a

lovely lie. That just nestled down do you like that? He is a brave

young man. He has got to pop this a little higher in the air than he

would have liked to have done. quite. There have been so many

changes at the top, it looks like Stenson was there for a while, it

looks like Mickelson was out of it, and right now a little Mickelson

Colsaerts at the final hole. He will be in good nick going into next

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away. Can Phil Mickelson make this putt? He can! Mickelson and Stenson,

together 17 under par behind JB Hansen of Denmark. John Parry. He

can go left, up and around, which is what he is doing. We have seen this

a couple of times, haven't we? Colsaerts played almost the same

shot and missed the putt, but good imagination. Will this Scottish

worked out shot, but he cannot take advantage and that is a dropped shot

at Parry, and he slips back to 15 under. Can Brendan -- Branden Grace

take this one? He's hanging on. down. This fella could be one of the

greatest ever with his wedges, he Scottish Open for a long time, Phil

Mickelson. Now JB Hansen for his par, and that is the first mistake

this man has made since his horror at the second, and what a time to do

it. Right edge, just inside the right. This for the lead. That tells

you how popular Phil Mickelson is, the man who started with a double

bogey is now four under for the round and has the lead on his own.

Mickelson by one, JB Hansen and Stenson at 17. Parry has a horribly

difficult shot coming up at 15, just three behind. A difficult shot for

John Parry, but he has played it well. I don't think he could have

got closer than that. As a chance of downhill, and back into the wind.

Settle down. Not bad. A big putt here for John Parry. If this doesn't

drop, his chance of a victory will didn't go right for the second

shot, and unfortunately it has cost Hansen make this putt and go back to

15 under? So close. Such tiny margins at this stage a Sunday

afternoon, and JB Hansen stays at 14 under. This is the most innocuous

looking end, but if you missed it on the right it would take Harry

Houdini to get round there. The wind is quite hard from left-to-right,

talked it out. Wrote the wind -- rode the wind, pitched on the front

it, be careful he doesn't leave it short. Pretty crisply played. Go

up the hill, and this could be very good. Taking a left turn, this could

been forever studying this. A little from right-to-left, a fraction down

the hill. A chance to strike a major blow here for Phil Mickelson.

wouldn't turn. JB Hansen, a long way of action from the right but not

much. The wind is buffeting across the green again. Wonderful! What a

huge putt that was for Henrik Stenson. A very hard earned par-4 to

to lead by one. Eagle chance back at 16 for Branden Grace. He has holed

nothing of any consequence. He had a dip for the two, there is no

question of that. Oh, dear. magic has faded. Two bogeys in the

last three for JB Hansen. His -- he slips behind Phil Mickelson and it

may be the fairy tale has not come on the back nine. He dropped one at

the ninth but he has fought back very well. The marshals are

gathering, everyone is gathering around the final holes which will

decide the outcome of the Scottish saving putt. Grace with a long

birdie opportunity at 17, only one behind remember. Not bad. Mickelson,

at 18 under with those two tough closing holes to come. Another big

putt for Henrik Stenson. His putting has been a little erratic today. He

never fancied it. He didn't get the line so that is a crucial bogey for

Henrik Stenson at 16. This putt is even more important now. He has

holed that extremely well, made some par saves, and if he can make four

on 18 there is no guarantee Phil he has done today, it might just win

him some tournament in the future. Phil Mickelson is a long way short.

It is lying OK, but he is an artist when it comes to these shots. You

considered the unthinkable. At what he has done today, it might not be

Stenson said that second shot at whole number 12. He has struggled

day, hopefully. What a shame. He has been brilliant today. This is a bit

Henrik Stenson, the start of the day, he had a two shot lead. He has

had three bogeys in the last five holes. He slips back to 15 under,

currently three behind Phil Mickelson, who has a par putt to

come. He looks sound on the greens. Mickelson knows how important that

one was. A great three. He stays at 18 under par, one ahead of Branden

Grace and three ahead of Henrik Stenson. That quadruple bogey at the

second hole would have sunk many lesser player. Why did it galvanise

you? What did you tell yourself at that point? I don't know. I don't

think the people expect me to win this tournament so that is not the

thing I am trying, I will try to be relaxed and do the best I can.

you sign your name at the top of the leaderboard, how did you feel? Were

you comfortable? Very comfortable. I had a great feeling up there. Very

glad. I controlled all my feelings. The last three bogeys was just a

Frustrating at the front nine when he could not make a birdie. Four

birdies at the back, a round of 69, a very good week for the likeable

South African, 17 under par. He has set the target which Phil Mickelson

will hope to beat. 126 yards to the front, into the breeze. He is a long

lot to him, it really well. It is the home of golf, every player wants

to win in Scotland. It has been a past. Conservative approach from tee

to green, natural instincts return. Hopefully Henrik Stenson's final

part of the week. Par five to finish, but three damaging bogeys in

the last six holes for Henrik Stenson. 73, he finishes at 15 under

partial is top -- 15 under par. This hard work. That is a stunning end,

Phil Mickelson bogeys the last hole when it seemed to be absolutely

under control and in his grasp, and that means he is tied with Branden

Grace. Branden Grace will play-off with Phil Mickelson for the Aberdeen

Asset Management Scottish Open championship, both finishing at 17

under par, clear of JB Hansen and Henrik Stenson. Martin Laird ,

Gareth Maybin and John Parry behind. So close for Phil Mickelson

in the Scottish Open. He lost a play-off six years ago. Will he have

his day today against Branden Grace? He has steel in his hands. He will

is short. Not ideal. Different club choice this time. It is a pretty

aggressive play. Most of the wind is from his right. It will hurt a

little bit, especially as he goes it will run very close to the wall

of that bunker, minus the sand. have come through a lot in the last

few years, to get close, to be contending at the sharp end, must be

an advantage. What positives will you take from this? I'm striking the

ball much better. I didn't quite get on the same runners yesterday, but I

got some good shots. It was difficult conditions. They were

magnified in the breezy conditions, I was not doing too badly. We will

go back home and recuperate and come back stronger next week. They will

be chasing it over that amount. -- run with the close. -- bounce.

Played a genius pitch back at the Mickelson? Absolutely wonderful. The

crowd rise to him, making amends for the overenthusiastic first part last

time around. -- first putt. Classic Phil Mickelson may have made us wait

the last time, but an absolutely brilliant shot in the first lay-off

, and Phil Mickelson is the Scottish Open champion. Talk about winning in

style. Scottish Open champion at last. He has waited a long time for

this one, on one of his favourite courses. An unexpected second bite

at the title, house uprising was it for you to be given that chance?

didn't think he would get bogey on the last. I heard he not get past.

It makes it tricky, in this wind. I played well. He made the log

special, you cannot fight against that. What does not change is you

have had a terrific week. You were number one on the putting stats.

What will you be trying to improve? I do not think I need to improve

anything. I need to work on my game plan, stick to the routines and the

things I have been doing well. It has been a big help this week, local

knowledge, you never know what will happen next week. It is time to

salute our new champion, Phil Mickelson, and we have the Chief

Executive of the European tour, Alex Salmond, and the chairman of

Aberdeen at, you are all very welcome. Do the honours.

Congratulations. We have waited a Congratulations. We have waited a

Congratulations. We have waited a long time for your first victory in

the home of golf. I wonder what it means to you? It is very special for

me to have some success here. It has been a big challenge, adapting to

the style of golf. This was a great challenge, difficult conditions,

firm ground, and I played some good golf. I came out on top, and this is

really a fulfilling and special moment. You did the difficult part,

you find yourself behind, and we thought you were going to tie it up

at the 72nd, then you to get into the play-off. Were memories of the

play-off flooding into your mind? Nobody likes a movie that is

predictable, you always want to have a little bit of suspense. I don't

know what happened, I just lost a bit of focus. Final question, I know

in 2006 you won it at you went on to win the green jacket, is this

possible? I certainly hope so, I don't think there is a better way to

get ready for a major championship than playing the week before.

Playing well the week before and getting into contention, coming out

on top, that gives me more confidence. There is a lot involved

in the British Open, you need some luck, with tea-time, -- tee times,

and you need some good bounces. will be hoping his form rolls on,

and we will prepare for another Thursday the 18th of July. We will

be underway with a preview programme and then live uninterrupted coverage