Henrik Stenson shoots 63 in epic duel with Phil Mickelson to claim historic win at Royal Troon

Stenson's final round 63 is without doubt one of the best ever played to win a major championship, while his beaten opponent Phil Mickelson will be left wondering how his own final round of 65 was not enough to claim victory on a day when the next best from anyone else in the field was a 67.

Mickelson, seeking a sixth major and second Open title, trailed the Swede by a shot at the start and led at various points in the afternoon, but ultimately came up short after a quite magnificent display of golf from his opponent that culminated in birdie on the last.

"Wow, this will take a little while to sink in," said Stenson as he held aloft the coveted Claret Jug.

"I'm still trying to find my bearings here.

"I want to thank Phil for a fantastic battle. We played some great golf and I'm delighted to come out on top."

Mickelson, who beat Stenson into second place when he won the 2013 Open at Muirfield, was generous in his praise.

"It's disappointing to come in second but I'm happy for Henrik, he's really a great champion," said the left-hander.

"We've been friends for some time. I've always thought he is one of the best ball-strikers in the game and that major championships are perfectly suited for him.

"I knew he would ultimately come through and win."

Stenson's -20 score is the lowest in the history of The Open, beating Tiger Woods's record score of -19 at St Andrews in 2000. His overall aggregate of 264 is also the lowest ever at an Open, and indeed the lowest ever at any major championship, beating David Toms's 265 at the 2001 US PGA Championship.

Mickelson's 65, on another day, would have been one of the greatest rounds ever to win an Open. Instead, Stenson shot the joint-lowest-ever major championship score of 63 to claim victory.

As for the rest of the field, JB Holmes was the nearest contender back on -6, some 14 shots behind the winner and 11 behind Mickleson.

Steve Stricker, aged 49, was behind him in fourth place on -5, while Rory McIlroy, Sergio Garcia and unknown English youngster Tyrrell Hatton sharing fifth place at -4.

Andrew 'Beef' Johnston was in third place on his own at one point after three early birdies, but faded away with four bogeys in the final 11 holes.

The crowd weren't bothered by his late slump, however, giving the magnificently laid-back 27-year-old a standing ovation as he grinned and bounced his way down the 18th.

Stenson dedicated his victory to a friend who had died of cancer earlier in the week: "Mike, this one's for you," he said, before kissing the Claret Jug for the first time.

It is the 40-year-old Stenson's first major title, but the way in which he wrapped up glory made him look as if he were a veteran of several successful major championship Sundays.

His key spell came from the 14th hole, making three consecutive birdies to open up a two-shot lead.

One of those was a 50ft putt from off the edge of the 15th green, a hammer blow that put Stenson in charge.

Mickelson had one more chance, however: on the par-5 16th the American smashed a superb second shot onto the green, while Stenson hooked his ball into thick rough.

But the Swede drew a kind, fluffy lie in the thick grass, and was able to pitch up to four feet.

With Mickelson's eagle putt looking certain to drop until it veered left at the last possible moment, Stenson then converted that putt for a birdie. Instead of a two-shot swing to level things up, Stenson retained his two-shot lead.

The lead might even have become four shots when he fired to 5ft on the par-3 17th and Mickelson missed the green, but the American saved par with a chip and a 15ft putt while Stenson's short birdie effort slipped by the edge.

A two-shot lead over Mickelson proved enough, however, Stenson making a safe par up the last – his sole moment of fear coming as his tee shot on 18 finished just two inches short of a fairway bunker.

From there he found the green, and holed a 20ft birdie to cap off a truly extraordinary day that will be long remembered in the annals of the sport.