He eyes revenge on Mickelson
inspiring. I know I’ll have to bring my best.”
Despite the intensity of going for that elusive breakthrough Major, Stenson was showing no signs of stress as he cracked jokes about the Scott ish summer weather.
If ever Mickelson needed a response to his statement that he is playing without pressure, having won the Claret Jug before, he got it in the laid-back Swede’s post-round press conference.
He said: “It would be massive to win my first Major, especially in Scotland. This is the one thing I’m looking for, it would be the icing on the cake. But at the same time I’ve worked hard, I’ve put myself in a great spot.
“But still it’s whatever you want to throw the odds but if I give myself a 50-50, it might happen, it might not happen.
“If I don’t win the sun will come up on Monday anyway – although maybe not in Scotland, but in other parts of the world – and I will be back at the PGA to try again.”
He added: “There’s only one thing that matters tomorrow. I know he’s not going to back greenside bunker, the 2013 champion turned on the press pack and seethed: “It’s so s****y to do that. I can’t believe that. I get you’ve got to cover it. But why interfere with it?” That was a rare outburst from a player known for his Mr Nice Guy image but it highlighted the growing pressure of a fascinating battle for supremacy that is expected to go right down to the wire today. The pair will go out together again at 2.35pm, although this time with roles reversed as Mickelson will be the one looking to overturn a one-shot deficit. Stenson’s superb 68 in windy conditions has given him the narrow advantage as the Swede strives to win his first Major after repeatedly coming close. In 2013 he finished second to Mickelson when Lefty clinched the Claret Jug with a sizzling final round at Muirfield. And it’s likely the American will have to produce similar heroics today if he is to edge this contest with Stenson in such electric form. The nearest challenger to the top two is American Bill Haas, whose 69 gave him an outside shout of making a charge today from his spot on six under. England’s Andrew Johnston is just one shot further back after a 70 kept his hopes of a first Major triumph alive. But it was a bad day for the Scots as Russell Knox, Paul Lawrie and Colin Montgomerie all struggled. Knox slumped to four over after a 75, Lawrie’s 74 left him three further adrift and Monty sits bottom of the pile on 12 over following his 79. down, and I’m certainly going to back down either. So it should be an exciting afternoon.”
Mickelson isn’t buying into the notion of a Ryder Cup style battle – and who can blame him considering his miserable record in that particular contest over the last 20 years.
After signing for a 70, his worst round of the week so far, Mickelson said: “I don’t see that as a matchplay siutation. “Not at all. “I was off today. I didn’t have my best stuff. My rhythm was a little quick from the top as we started downwind. I was a little bit jumpy and my rhythm wasn’t very good today. I found a way to kind of settle in and hit some shots and then find ways to make pars on the times that I hit some poor shots.
“Today could have been a day that got away from me, instead I shot under par and kept myself right in heading into tomorrow’s final round, so I’m proud of that.”
He added: “I know it’s not far off because I was hitting it so good.
“I’ve been hitting it so good for so long, I just think one day is an anomaly and hopefully I’ll get dialled back in .”