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Live Commentary: The Open Championship: Final round - as it happened

Relive Sports Mole's coverage of the final round of the 142nd Open Championship at Muirfield.
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Phil Mickelson has come from five shots back to win his first Open Championship at Muirfield, East Lothian.

He started the day on two-over-par, but a stellar final round of 66 has seen him complete three quarters of his career Grand Slam.

You can read how an exciting final round unfolded below.


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Welcome to Sports Mole for live coverage of the fourth and final round of the Open Championship at Muirfield. What a day we have in store.

Will Lee Westwood finally win his first Major title? Will Tiger Woods get closer to Jack Nicklaus's all-time Major record of 18 titles? Will Adam Scott add the Claret Jug to the Green Jacket he won earlier this year? There are plenty of contenders, with anyone from two-over in with a realistic shout of winning today. My prediction is that anyone two-over who shoots a 68 today will have a chance.

It has already been an amazing summer for British sport, but it could get so much better by the end of the day. The British and Irish Lions conquered Australia, Andy Murray lifted the Wimbledon title, England are currently on top in the Ashes, Justin Rose won last month's US Open and Chris Froome has all but captured the Tour de France... and all this after last summer's stunning Olympic Games.

Francesco Molinari (+2) and Phil Mickelson (+2) tee off at 1.30pm. Those two have mirrored each other this week, posting 69, 74 and 72. A couple of low scores could well mean a playoff, although both are prone to collapses, especially on a Sunday. And on a course as tough as Muirfield. It's a big ask, but by no means out of the question.

Zach Johnson (+1) and Henrik Stenson (+1) tee off 10 minutes later at 1.40pm. The American led after the first round and has managed to hang in there for two days. He's four shots off the lead, as is the talented Swede. He followed successive rounds of 70 with a 74 yesterday but. as one of the more technically gifted golfers on Tour, he certainly has the skills capable of winning today. His biggest win was the Players Championship in 2009, golf's 'fifth Major'.

Ryan Moore (+1) and Angel Cabrera (+1) tee off at 1.50pm. The American has rather sneaked into contention at Muirfield, whereas the Argentine - a perennial contender at Major championships - has hovered around the top for most of the week. He pushed Adam Scott all the way at Augusta in April, losing out to the Australian in a playoff.

Adam Scott (E) and Tiger Woods (-1) tee off at 2pm. The Masters champion is another one who has quietly gone about his business this week, carding 71, 72 and 70 for his first three rounds. Woods has never come from behind to win any of his 14 Major titles, he will have to do so today if he is to get closer to the record held by Jack Nicklaus.

And finally, Hunter Mahan (-1) and Lee Westwood (-3) will tee off in the final group. I don't think you'll find many people who would not have wanted Woods and Westwood playing together on championship Sunday, but it's another American who has crept into the picture. A stellar round of 68 was the joint-best score of yesterday and if he can replicate that he will surely win. Westwood has come close in all of golf's Majors in his career... is this his time?

LEADERBOARD: (-3) Westwood; (-1) Mahan, Woods; (E) Stenson, Scott; (+1) Z Johnson, Cabrera, Moore; (+2) Molinari, Mickelson; (+3) Garcia, Donaldson, Matsuyama, Day, D. Johnson, Jimenez, Snedeker; (+4) Cabrera-Bello; (+5) Kaymer, Wagner, Sterne, Poulter, Els, Leonard

A few players saw their chances of glory take a woodshed beatdown yesterday, including Miguel Angel Jimenez (+3). The cigar-smoking, rioja-swilling Spaniard - possibly the coolest man alive - shot a six-over 77 and is six shots off the pace. A comeback from there looks unlikely.

Others also on three-over include Sergio Garcia (+3) and Brandt Snedeker (+3), although they are on the upward curve having shot 68 and 69 respectively yesterday.

A few players have already completed their fourth rounds. Bo van Pelt (+10) went round in 68, while Jason Dufner (+8) took 67 blows. What would one of the men at the top give for one of those today?

Just like it has all week, the conditions are expected to get tougher as the day goes on. Only today it's the wind expected to play havoc, not the blazing sun. The greens were nowhere near as shiny yesterday as they were on Thursday and Friday.

The last Englishman to win the Open Championship? Sir Nick Faldo in 1992. Where? Yep, you guessed it. Or read it in the article body. Or just knew it anyway. Oh, it was at Muirfield, by the way...

There was drama last year when Adam Scott bogeyed each of the last four holes at Lytham St Annes to gift the Claret Jug to Ernie Els. What might unfold this year, who knows? If Martin Laird's nine at the third hole yesterday tells us anything it's that one hole can change the entire complexion of the tournament. That nine took the Scot from a tie for second into a tie for 17th. After looking like a definite contender, he posted 81 for his third round and finished the day nine-over-par for the championship.

Tiger Woods has won every one of his 14 Major titles having led heading into the final round. Before the 2009 PGA Championship, he had never lost when leading in the final round. YE Yang halted that run at Hazeltine, but now Woods will attempt to make another first by coming from behind to win for the first time. He's definitely not the Tiger of old, obliterating all before him. Those days seem a distant memory now. However, he's still rated the best golfer on the planet... and some believe of all time.

"I've won Majors and I've lost Majors, but I've never been scarred by any of my losses. I've got a feeling someone's going to get scarred today," Sir Nick Faldo tells BBC Sport.

Faldo believes that a 66 is achievable today. But what does he know?

Hunter Mahan (-1) and Henrik Stenson (+1) are two men that no-one is really talking about. The American challenged at his home Open last month at Merion and although his quality is not in doubt he often gets overlooked. Meanwhile, the Swede is not only the most accurate off the tee this week - hitting hit 35 of 42 fairways - but he is most accurate into the green as well, finding 42 of 54.

Oliver Fisher (+9) had a good first round of 70 on Thursday but 78 and 77 on Friday and Saturday saw him slide down the leaderboard. However, he's finished today with a 68. Some low scores early on at Muirfield. Factor in the changing conditions and added pressure and I can't see it carrying on.

IN THE CLUBHOUSE: (+8) Jason Dufner; (+9) Oliver Fisher; (+10) Bo van Pelt, Tim Clark; (+11) Padraig Harrington; (+13) Ben Curtis, Chris Wood; (+14) Gareth Wright; (+15) Shiv Kapur, KT Kim, Jimmy Mullen, Russel Henley; (+16) Kevin Streelman, Mikko Ilonen; (+17) Josh Teater; (+19) Graham DeLaet; (+23) Sandy Lyle

Matthew Fitzpatrick (+11) is three holes from finishing and has a four-shot advantage over Jimmy Mullen (+15) in the race for the Silver Medal, awarded to the best-placed amateur. Previous winners include Jose Maria Olazabal (1985), Tiger Woods (1996), Justin Rose (1998) and Rory McIlroy (2007).

"If I can shoot in the 60s I'll give myself a chance. It's not impossible to make pars on this golf course. There will be three, four, five holes where you can take advantage of," Phil Mickelson (+2) tells BBC Sport.

BIRDIE! Matthew Fitzpatrick (+10) drains a long putt for a birdie at the 16th, taking him five clear of Mullen (+15) in the Silver Medal stakes. That should seal it for him.

BOGEY! Ian Poulter (+6) parred the first two holes but has just leaked a shot at the third, despite a good putt from distance. A 75 yesterday effectively ended his chances.

Fitzpatrick (+15) taps in for par at the 17th. Imagine how he'll be feeling as he bounds down the 18th fairway towards the green. He's off to Chicago in a few months time, where he will attend Northwestern University. Incidentally, it's the same college Luke Donald went to. Go Wildcats!

The wind has definitely made an entrance in the denouement of this championship. It can be heard howling in the background as Angel Cabrera (+1) hits a few irons on the practice range.

Great shot from Fitzpatrick (+10) at 18, landing his approach eight foot from the cup. He gets a warm round of applause, it's been a fantastic week for the baby-faced Sheffield amateur.

It's par for the 18-year-old as he confidently strokes home his putt to get around Muirfield in 72 blows. He played with former Masters champion Fred Couples (+9) today, which will have been an amazing experience in itself.

SILVER MEDAL WINNER: Matthew Fitzpatrick (+10)

BOGEY! Jimenez (+4) takes five at the par-four second, dropping him to four-over-par. It's hard not to like this man, many were hoping it would be his week. It wasn't to be.

BIRDIE! Defending champion Ernie Els (+5) dropped a shot at the second but has made it back at the third by dropping a monster 25-foot putt for a three.

2009 champion Stewart Cink (+8) has carded 69 for his final round. That's another decent score that a top-10 player would kill for today.

BIRDIE! Poulter (+5) bogeyed three but strikes back at the par-five fifth. A nice pitch set up a makeable putt, which he made disappear for just his eighth birdie of the week.

BIRDIE! Darren Clarke (+4) has just made his third birdie in a row at nine to reach the turn in two-under-par, recovering from his bogey at the fifth. He's now four-over for the week.

Woods (-1), garbed in his infamous Sunday red, is hitting a few irons on the practice range.

Francesco Molinari (+2) is on the first tee, that's straight down the middle of the fairway. He's playing with Phil Mickelson (+2) today, who's looking for back-to-back victories having won at Castle Stuart last week. The American also finds the short grass... in fact, his ball hits Molinari's as it bobbles past.

BOGEY! Garcia (+4) drops a shot at the first hole.

Molinari (+2) finds the middle of the green with his approach at the first. Well short of the hole but not a bad effort. Mickelson (+2) cuts his to the left but it's still on the green, leaving him a long putt for birdie.

With the focus of attention elsewhere, maybe Henrik Stenson (+1) and Zach Johnson (+1) can sneak under the radar today. Both men will take their second from the fairway after excellent tee shots.

It's par for Molinari (+2) and Mickelson (+2) at the first. They raced their birdie putts past the hole but made their returns for a couple of fours.

BOGEY! That's another one gone for Garcia (+5) at the second.

DOUBLE BOGEY! Dustin Johnson (+5) started solidly enough with two straight pars but a six at the third has seen any hope of him making a move crushed.

BIRDIE! Unbelievable! Stenson (E) gets to even-par with an absolute beast of a putt from the front of the first green. That's some way to start!

Zach Johnson (+1) pars the first hole, where Angel Cabrera (+1) and Ryan Moore (+1) are sizing up their approach shots to the green.

It's another four for Mickelson (+2) at the second. Steady start, the first real scoring opportunity is the fifth hole. Anything before that can be considered a bonus.

Cabrera (+1) fires at the first green, but that's got far too much on it and goes off the back of the green. Moore (+1) doesn't put enough on his but he's on the green. A real contrast in shots, there.

Adam Scott (E) and Tiger Woods (-1) stand on the first tee. An interesting side story is the Australian's caddie, Steve Williams, used to work the bag for Woods. There was an acrimonious split following the American's well-documented troubles in 2009/2010.

Molinari (+2) follows Mickelson (+2) in for par at the second.

Scott (E) tugs his tee shot into the horseshoe bunker to the left of the fairway. That's rather poor. Woods (-1) crushes one down the strip, that's how it's done.

BOGEY! Cabrera (+2) falls to two-over-par with a bogey at the first. His second shot went off the back of the green and the Argentine was unable to get up and down to save par.

Scott (E) has an awkward stance in the bunker he finds himself in. One foot in but having to kneel on his knee with the other. It's not a bad result though, he's back in play but needs an accurate approach into the green. Woods (-1) just about makes the front of the green.

Stenson (E) put his second shot to the par-four second into the greenside rough but has managed to save par.

EAGLE! Ey up, Ian Poulter (+3) has shot three at the par-five ninth to claw back two shots on the rest of the field. He's out in 34, six shots off the lead.

Right, it's the final group. Hunter Mahan (-1) to go first, straight as an arrow. Westwood (-3) gets a massive cheer after being announced. Surely he's feeling a little nervous, despite having been here before... quite a few times. He whacks an iron into the first cut, good result.

BOGEY, BOGEY! It's a well judged first putt from Woods (E), but he shoves his return wide of the hole. That becomes an ugly three-putt. Scott (+1) from the rough at the back, chips it down and makes the putt for bogey.

BIRDIE! Stenson (-1) gets into the red figures with another birdie at the third. Blistering start from the Swede!

Westwood (-3) is on the green in two at the first. Mahan (-1), also from the first fairway, follows him onto the putting surface. Two good shots.

Westwood (-3) sends his birdie putt on its way, the pace is good... it's on line... but just breaks late to take it off course! So close! He's in for par, as is Mahan (-1).

Stenson (-1) can only reach the front edge of the green with his tee shot at the par-three fourth.

Great shot from Scott (+1) to within eight foot of the flag at two. Woods (E) is also on but that's as good as it gets, he flew it well over the flag.

BIRDIE! Poulter (+2) goes eagle-birdie to get himself to two-over-par for the championship. A late charge?

Quality putt from Stenson (-1) at the fourth, rolling it a foot from the cup. That's par for him. And it's par for Woods (E) at the second.

BOGEY! Ryan Moore (+2) drops a shot at the second.

Scott (+1) misses a very makeable birdie putt at the second, he stays on one-over-par.

Mahan (-1) found trouble with his tee shot at the second, he's chopped out of the rough and onto the fairway. His third has left him work to do on the green to save par. Westwood (-3), looking very calm and collected, takes his second from the first cut, he'll have 20 foot for birdie.

Woods (E) is errant with his drive at the third and will find that in the cabbage. Scott (+1) is on the fairway. Poulter (+3) is on in two at the 11th, a birdie here and he's really cooking with gas.

BOGEY! Not a bad putt from Mahan (E) but that's a dropped shot. Westwood (-3) goes further in front, if he can sink his chance then his lead will be four.

Westwood (-3) leaves his putt just short of the hole. He leads by three.

BIRDIE! Mickelson (+1) drains his first birdie of the day at the fifth to move level with Adam Scott (+1).

BIRDIE! Hang on, what's happening here?! Poulter (+1) is in Ryder Cup mode, holing anything from inside 100 foot. He's gone eagle-birdie-birdie and is three-under for today's round.

Scott (+1) with a putt from distance at the third, never really had a chance. Westwood (-3) is in a spot of bother back on the fairway, whereas Mahan (E) is in prime position on the short grass.

Woods (E) went into the rough with his tee shot at three but he's scrambled well for par. Scott (+1) also goes in for a four.

Westwood (-3) hacks from the cabbage at three but it's not looking good, more rough stuff to some. Mahan (E) is also struggling.

Poulter (+1) is on in two at the 12th. He's a long way from the cup but in his current form he's got a chance with anything he lands on the carpet.

Scott (+1) goes way left with his tee shot at the par-three fourth. No problems for Woods (E), he's on the dancefloor. Westwood (-3) has caught a decent lie in the rough, he's given himself a good chance of saving par.

Stenson (-1) still going strong, he's gone in for par at the fifth.

BOGEY! Ohhh, so close to a brilliant par save from Westwood (-2). It grazed the edge of the hole.

ON THE CHARGE! Blimey! Poulter (E) has just made ANOTHER BIRDIE at the 12th and he's now just two shots off the lead! My word, this is some round so far. He's five-under for it!

It's not as if he's knocking his approach shots stone dead, Poulter (E), which is the scary thing. Driving for dough putting for dough, to paraphrase Bobby George's famous darts motto. It really is the greens where you win titles, and Poulter is in beast mode. Heat-seeking putts.

BOGEY! Woods (+1) three-putts the fourth and drops another shot. That's him two-over for his final round so far.

Poulter (E) sees his blitz come to an end at the par-three 13th, although it came mighty close to dropping. Come on, Poults. Let's get back on the birdie trail at 14! (Said the impartial commentator)

BOGEY! Scott (+2) cards his second bogey of the day at the fourth. The chasing pack are coming in. Each of the four players in the last two groups have dropped shots already.

In fact, only Westwood (-2) and Stenson (-1) are under par. Poulter (E) is tied for third with Mahan (E).

Woods (+1) pulled his tee shot into the rough at the fifth, but he's back in play after his second. Looking for a birdie. Westwood (-2) leaves a birdie putt short at the fourth.

Ian Poulter (E) will putt for birdie at the 14th. It's a putt only Ian Poulter can make. Thankfully, he's Ian Poulter.

BOGEY! Mahan (+1) slips to two-over for today's round with a bogey at the fourth. He's paid the penalty for a poor tee shot.

Woods (+1) is on in three at the par-five fifth but that has a couple of districts to travel through before arriving at cup town.

Trouble for Westwood (-2) at five. He's sliced that into the fairway bunker and will struggle to make the green in three from there.

Poulter (E) takes an aggressive approach at the cup on 14 but it drifts wide. He stands over a knee-knocker coming back but makes no mistake. Complete with a fist pump. Four holes left to really ram home a winnable score.

Woods (+1) curls a long putt past the hole, leaving a bit left for a five. Scott (+2) dabs at a short birdie putt but it stays right. That's a missed opportunity, for sure.

Westwood (-2) gets a good contact out of the bunker, he'll take his third shot from the fairway. Ahead of him on the fifth green, Woods (+1) rolls in for par.

The adrenaline is pumping perhaps a bit too much for Poulter (E), as he dings one down the 15th fairway... and into the bunker situated in the middle. It's right up against the face, as well. Damage limitation from there.

Stenson (-1) pars the seventh. Yet to drop a shot today, the Swede.

Brilliant shot from Westwood (-2) as he hits the green with his third at the fifth. Not looking good for Woods (+1) at the sixth as he goes into the wheat with his tee shot.

Poulter (E) is animated, urging his ball on after digging it out of the bunker. "Go on! Go on!"... it listens and creeps onto the green. He'll have another chance for birdie.

BIRDIE! What a birdie for Westwood (-3) at the fifth! He found the bunker with his tee shot and had a job on to make par from there. Amazing.

Poulter (E) puts another good stroke on his 20-foot effort for birdie at the 15th. Right line, just not enough pace. He stays level par.

LEADERBOARD: (-3) Westwood; (-1) Stenson; (E) Poulter; (+1) Mickelson, Z Johnson, Mickelson, Woods; (+2) Cabrera, Scott

BOGEY! Stenson (E) drops his first shot of the day at eight, meaning Westwood (-3) now has a three-shot lead. It also means that Poulter (E) is tied for second. Now we have two Englishman battling for the Claret Jug.

BOGEY! Woods (+2) lets another one go at the sixth. He's three-over for his third round.

Poulter (E) is five-under through 15 holes. You can't put a price on on a round like that on the Sunday of a Major championship. Truly remarkable. However, he has work to do at the par-three 16th after finding the rough with his tee shot.

LEADING BY THREE SHOTS: Lee Westwood (-3)

The Englishman is now the only man under par for the championship.

Stenson (E) with his second shot to the par-five ninth, it's off the back of the green but he'll be sniffing a birdie. Mahan (+1) looking at another bogey putt on the sixth green. Westwood (-3) putting from off the green for birdie, it had a chance but slipped just past the cup.

BIRDIE! Adam Scott (+1) picks up his first shot of the day at the par-three seventh.

BIRDIE! Mickelson (E) has moved into a tie for second with a four at the par-five ninth. He's yet to drop a shot today, hitting the turn in two-under-par. Good going.

BOGEY! Poulter (+1) chops out to around 15 foot from the rough at 16 and can't find the bottom of the cup for par. He slips back to one-over with three holes remaining.

Stenson (E) puts too much mustard on his chip from the rough at nine. He has eight foot left for a birdie.

BOGEY! Mahan (+2) slips further back with another bogey at the sixth. Most are playing themselves out of contention, while Westwood (-3) is going steady. Some, like Poulter (+1) and Mickelson (E), are giving themselves a chance. That's all you can ask of them on a challenging course.

BIRDIE! Stenson (-1) gets back into the red, draining his birdie putt at the ninth. He's back to level par for his final round.

Zach Johnson (+1) has played the front nine in level par without dropping a shot.

Westwood (-3) is plugged in the bunker at the sixth, he has a hack at it but can't get it over the face. It falls back into the sand, nearly into his footprint. He's out at the second attempt and gives himself a decent chance of limited the bleed to just one shot.

BIRDIE! Adam Scott (E) drains a 40-footer at the seventh to get himself back to level par for the championship. That could be one shot off the lead by the time Westwood (-3) is done on the sixth. This is sporting suspense at its greatest.

BOGEY! Westwood (-2) never looked like missing that putt. That could be crucial, every shot matters. His lead is just one to Henrik Stenson (-1).

Poulter (+1) from the rough at 17, he lands it on in three and will putt for a birdie. His putter has eaten so much ground on his competitors already, can it gobble up another 20 foot? That needs to drop, he needs anything he can get his hands on.

Woods (+2), looking to get something going at the par-five ninth, hits his second shot off the back of the green. We just saw Stenson (-1) make a birdie from there and the Swede has a putt to tie the lead at the 10th after a fantastic approach.

Poulter (+1) can't drop in for birdie at 17. If he can at 18, even-par will not be a bad score at all. So much could still happen. I don't need to remind you of last year, but I will say that Scott (E) is positioning himself once again by making the green in two at the ninth. That's for an eagle.

Agony for Stenson (-1), who remains at one-under after seeing his gravity-defying birdie putt lip out at the 10th. Westwood (-2) remains one in front.

Woods (+2) duffs his chip at nine. Still a chance for birdie, but eww. Not a good connection.

BIRDIE! Scott (-1) leaves his eagle putt short but taps in for a birdie to tie Stenson (-1) on one-under-par.

BOGEY! Westwood (-1) coming slightly undone over the last few holes. After a miraculous birdie at the fifth, he's now bogeyed seven and eight and relinquishes the outright lead.

TIED FOR THE LEAD: Adam Scott, Henrik Stenson and Lee Westwood (-1)

BOGEY! Mickelson (+1) lets go his first shot of the day at the 10th after playing the front nine in two-under-par.

BIRDIE! Woods (+1) sinks his birdie opportunity at the ninth. That's his first of the day after bogeys at the first, fourth and sixth.

Poulter (+1) is looking for the green in two at the 18th, he makes it but only just.

BOGEY! Cabrera (+2) birdied the ninth to get back to one-over, but a bogey at the 10th shunts his further back. He's one-over for his final round but not yet out of this.

BIRDIE! Zach Johnson (E) breaks the monotony of pars but picking up a shot at the 11th. He's just one shot off the lead now as he heads to the par-four 12th.

Stenson (-1) pars the 11th to stay tied for the lead.

It's a par for Ian Poulter (+1) at the last to post a stunning final round of 67. He's in the clubhouse on one-over-par and, you never know, that could well be good enough.

CLUBHOUSE LEADER: Ian Poulter (+1)

WHAT A SHOT! Hunter Mahan (+2) plays a super shot into the ninth green to set up an eagle opportunity. Westwood (-1) from the bunker once again, he's off the green and scrambling.

Delightful putt from Westwood (-1). Nicely weighted, and he's inside a foot for par at the ninth.

EAGLE! Mahan (E) absolutely stiffed his approach to the ninth and takes full advantage by holing the putt. He's clawed his final round back to one-over-par and is just one shot off the lead.

BOGEY! Woods (+2) drops his fourth shot of the day at the 10th. That's him three-over for today's round.

BIRDIE! Phil Mickelson (E) birdies the par-three 13th to join fellow Americans Zach Johnson (E) and Hunter Mahan (E) in a tie for second.

BOGEY! Henrk Stenson (E) has now dropped out of the lead and into a tie for second by leaking a shot at the 12th.

LEADING BY ONE SHOT: Adam Scott and Lee Westwood (-1)

The British Lions won in Australia. England are currently hammering the Aussies in the Ashes. And now Adam Scott and Lee Westwood are locked in a battle at the top of the leaderboard in the 142nd Open Championship. They're not the only ones, mind, but this could be a interesting spin on an already fascinating conclusion.

BIRDIE! Scott (-2) birdies the 11th to get his nose in front. He's gone birdie-birdie-birdie-par-birdie over the last five holes and streaking.

BOGEY! It's another shot gone for Stenson (+1) at the 13th.

BOGEY! It's another shot gone for Stenson (+1) at the 13th.

Click here to read the story of Ian Poulter's amazing final round of 67 at Muirfield.

BIRDIE! Mickelson (-1) gets himself into the red with his second straight birdie at the 14th. He's three-under for today's round and another one with forward momentum. He's been scarred by big losses during his career, can he do the scarring today? Four holes left to post a good score.

Westwood (-1) has steadied the ship with pars at nine and 10 but he needs birdies. He's short of the 11th green with his second shot.

LEADERBOARD: (-2) Scott; (-1) Mickelson, Westwood; (E) Z Johnson; (+1) Poulter, Stenson, Mahan

Stenson (+1) is on the green in two at the 14th after back-to-back bogeys at 12 and 13.

Westwood (-1) left his long birdie putt eight foot short of the hole at the 11th but he's found the centre of the cup for par. Hanging in there, but it's Scott (-2) whose looking comfortable at the moment. I don't expect another Lytham-style meltdown, especially after winning the Masters in April.

BIRDIE! Woods (+2) rolls in a long birdie putt at the 12th but he's three-over for today's round and playing poorly.

Whoops, trouble for Scott at the par-three 13th! He's well off target and in the rough. Getting a bit twitchy out there.

Westwood (-1) with his second shot to the 12th green, its on and that'll be around 15 foot for a birdie. Could be in for the old switcheroo here.

Stenson (+1) stops the rot with a par at 14, while Mickelson (-1) keeps his charge goes with par at the 15th.

Fantastic shot from Scott (-1) out of the rough at the 13th gives him a good chance of saving par there.

Westwood (-1) misses his chance at 12, he stays at one-under.

BOGEY! Mahan (+2) sees his hopes take a bashing at the 12th, missing a short putt for par.

BOGEY! Scott (-1) misses his putt at 13 and fall back into a tie for the lead.

TIED FOR THE LEAD: Phil Mickelson, Adam Scott and Lee Westwood (-1)

Westwood (-1) is more like wayward (sorry) after his tee shot at the par-three 13th, where Scott (-1) has just relinquished the lead. He's wide of the green and will need to get up and down for par once again.

BOGEY! Zach Johnson (+1) drops his first shot of the day at 14th. He's two shots off the lead with four holes left to play.

Mickelson (-1) goes in for a three at the 16th to keep himself in a tie for the lead. What a round he's put together. He would have felt under pressure before this final round, but the focus of the world's gaze was elsewhere, with Westwood leading and Woods two shots behind. That may have been an advantage.

BOGEY! Another one goes for Westwood (E) at the 13th and he's out of the lead once again. Four bogeys and just one birdie has him three-over par for his final round.

Scott (-1) misses the green at the 14th, Johnson (+1) with a putt from the edge of the green at 15... it's tracking, oof... so close.

Oh my, Scott (-1) putts from off the green to... off the green. It's looking an awful lot like last year. I said I wouldn't say it but I have. The Australian will have a tough one to save par. It's only Mickelson (-1) who looks like he wants to win this one. How unlikely did that seem at the start of the day, given all the players in front of him.

BOGEY! Scott (E) goes bogey-bogey and now Mickelson (-1) leads on his own by one shot.

LEADER: Phil Mickelson (-1)

Wow, everything's coming up Lefty! Two mighty whacks and he's on the green in two at the par-five 17th. He's got some distance to travel for eagle, but a birdie will put him two shots clear with one hole of his final round to play. It's hard to see that being beaten, if all comes to pass.

Westwood (E) with a seven iron from the fairway at the 14th, it's a good shot and he'll have another putt for a birdie.

BIRDIE! Mickelson (-2) leaves his eagle effort inches from the cup and taps in for a two-shot lead. He's timed his burst perfectly, it seems. A par at the last and I think he'll have his first Claret Jug.

BIRDIE! Woods (+1) is back to one-over with a birdie at the 14th. He's three shots off the lead with four holes left to play. Can't see it happening.

Scott (E) with his second at the par-three 15th, he's on the green. Tough putt, though. Westwood (E) comes up short with his birdie attempt at 14. His putting was superb over the first three rounds but, like it has in the past, his touch has deserted him on Sunday.

BOGEY! Zach Johnson (+2) sees his chalenge come to an end with another bogey at the 16th. He's been in contention since day one, so it's not been a bad effort at all.

Stenson (+1) is in for par at the 16th and has a good chance of picking up a shot at the par-five 17th.

Mickelson (-2) pings one down the 18th fairway.

BOGEY! A late flurry from Woods (+2) seems to be dead in the water now after a three-putt on the 15th green.

Fantastic approach from Mickelson (-2) and he's eyeing up a birdie putt at the 18th.

BOGEY! I spoke too soon, after getting himself into the lead Adam Scott (+1) has gone bogey-bogey-bogey, his latest being a three-putt on the 15th. I said I didn't expect another meltdown, I didn't say it wouldn't happen. You should know better than to listen to me by now...

Woods (+2) takes aim at the 16th pin, it pitches close but ends up running into the back bunker. Just about sums up his final round.

BIRDIE! Phil Mickelson (-3), with the timing of a fine Swiss watch, sinks his sixth birdie today to post 66 for his final round. That's good enough to win any Major title. Special stuff from Lefty, who looks like he'll become the first man to win the Scottish Open and the Open Championship consecutively. He also becomes the 14th man to three of the four Major titles.

BIRDIE! Stenson (E) gets to level par with a birdie at 17.

Click here to read the story of Phil Mickelson's final round. Incidentally, the joint-best of the week along with Zach Johnson's first-round effort.

The only man who can stop Mickelson (-3) now is Westwood (E), who is currently tackling the par-three 16th. However, his tee shot has found the sand. It looks like Lefty will break his heart, much like Augusta in 2010.

Not a bad shot from the bunker by Westwood (E). Hey, par here, an eagle at 17 and a birdie at the last...?

Stenson (E) gets lucky with his second shot into the 18th green with a kick off the bank leading into a bunker. He's on for a birdie, which would see him go second on his own.

BOGEY! Westwood (+1) leaves his par putt left and that's another one gone. He's four-over-par for his final round.

Of course, that confirms what we already suspected, but it won;t be official until the final putt goes down.

Henrik Stenson (E) posts a one-under round of 70 at Muirfield, which currently has him in second place on his own. Zach Johnson (+2) gets around in 72 for his final trip and he's tied fifth.

Adam Scott (+2) misses with a long birdie putt at the 17th. His challenge well and truly faltered after he took up the running with four birdies in five holes between seven and 11.

Another incredible factor to Mickelson's victory is the heartbreak he suffered in the final round at Merion, where, to put it bluntly, he choked. Well, he's responded in the style of a true champion at the very next Major. What a performance, I can't speak more highly of it.

Angel Cabrera (+4) posts 74 for his final round. He's tied for 11th along with Brandt Snedeker (+4), who signed for a one-over round of 72 today.

Adam Scott (+2) and Tiger Woods (+2) bound down the 18th fairway towards the green. Meanwhile, Butch Harmon, Phil Mickelson's coach and all-round great guy, is talking to his man by the scoring sheds, beaming with pride.

It's par for Westwood (+1) at the 17th. He'll go to the 18th not only looking to end his championship with a birdie, but also for a share of second place with Henrik Stenson (E).

BIRDIE! A wry smile from Adam Scott (+1) as he drains a long birdie putt to get around Muirfield in 72. He was right there after 12 holes, but can be consoled by the fact that he was beaten by a magnificent 66 rather than giving it away.

Tiger Woods (+2) posts 74 for his final round, which is good enough for a tie for sixth with Hideki Matsuyama, Zach Johnson. Hunter Mahan (+2) is also two-over-par and tackling the final hole.

Lee Westwood (+1) gets a warm round of applause as he approaches the 18th green. It's another disappointing final round in a Major for the man from Worksop, which leaves you wondering if he'll ever break though.

Lee Westwood (+1) finishes with a par at 18 and signs for 76. That's a tie for third with Ian Poulter and Adam Scott. Hunter Mahan (+3) finishes with a bogey to drop into a tie for 10th with Francesco Molinari.

PHIL MICKELSON (-3) WINS THE 142ND OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP AT MUIRFIELD, EAST LOTHIAN, BY THREE SHOTS

Click here to read how Phil Mickelson got his hands on the Claret Jug for the first time.

He is the first man to win back-to-back titles at the Scottish Open and the Open Championship. There are now words for a final round of 66 - joint-best of the week - on a tough course. Not only has he won by three shots, he is the only man to finish under par. All that after last month's heartbreak at Merion. Very well done, Sir. Much deserved.

Phil Mickelson, speaking to BBC Sport, said: "What a fun day. This is some of the best golf I have ever played and by far the best I have ever putted. I made so many putts today and every iron shot, when I looked up, was on the green. Winning this championship was always the biggest challenge of my career. I didn't know if I ever had developed the right skills for links golf. You just never know what's going to happen, and to make that putt on the last hole was cool. You can't force it, you have to just let it happen."

Very gracious, sportsmanlike words from Lee Westwood. He's smiling and doesn't seem too downbeat.

Mickelson just needs the US Open, where he has finished a runner-up six times, to complete the career Grand Slam. But for the moment, Muirfield has produced another great champion in the ilk of Ernie Els (2002), Nick Faldo (1992, 1987), Tom Watson (1980), Lee Trevino (1972), Jack Nicklaus (1966) and Gary Player (1959).

Matthew Fitzpatrick receives his Silver Medal for being the leading amateur after four rounds before Henrik Stenson is awarded his runners-up prize.

Phil Mickelson is beaming as he lifts the Claret Jug above his head for all at Muirfield to see. "I could not be more proud to be your champion," he says to great applause.

Well that's it for the 2013 Open Championship. It's Royal Liverpool, Hoylake, next year - my backyard - for the 143rd Open Championship. Tiger Woods was the winner the last time it was played there in 2006. But there is still one more Major title to play for this year and that's the PGA Championship at Oak Hill on August 8. Come back then, won't you.

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Michael Penkman
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