Mickelson wins Scottish Open golf

Phil Mickelson of the United States poses with the trophy and European Tour Chief Executive George O’Grady after his victory on the 1st hole of a sudden-death playoff during the final round of the Scottish Open at Castle Stuart Golf Links on July 14, 2013 in Inverness, Scotland. (Getty Images)

Edinburgh, July 15 (IANS): American golfer Phil Mickelson won the Scottish Open title in a thrilling sudden-death play-off against South Africa’s Branden Grace at Castle Stuart in Inverness in Northern Scotland.

The 43-year-old Mickelson finished with Grace on 17-under-par on Sunday, while Sweden’s Henrik Stenson tied with Denmark’s JB. Hansen for third place on 15-under-par, and Scotland’s Martin Laird finish tied-fifth with Northern Irishman Gareth Maybin and England‘s John Parry, all on 14 under.

The four-day event started on July 11 at the four-year-old Castle Stuart Golf Links at Balnaglack Farmhouse, which will host the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open within the next three years after the tournament moves to Royal Aberdeen in 2014, reports Xinhua.

Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond came to Castle Stuart Golf Links to support the event and hailed the Scottish Open as a “great vote of confidence in golf and the people of the Highlands in their ability to stage major international events”.