2013 Open Championship ~ New news

Phil Mickelson birdied the final hole at The Open Championship to cap a round of 5-under 66 that sent him surging up the leaderboard and to the victory in Scotland. Mickelson finished the tournament at 3-under, and won his fifth major championship.

US golfer Phil Mickelson celebrates after scoring a birdie on the final 18th green during the fourth and final round of the 2013 British Open Golf Championship at Muirfield golf course at Gullane in Scotland on July 21, 2013. AFP PHOTO/GLYN KIRKGLYN KIRK/AFP/Getty Images

GLYN KIRK

AAA

Phil Mickelson (R) of the U.S. hugs his caddie Jim Mackay after sinking a birdie putt on 18th green during the final round of the British Open golf championship at Muirfield in Scotland, July 21, 2013. REUTERS/Toby Melville (BRITAIN - Tags: SPORT GOLF)

Phil Mickelson and caddie Jim Mackay embraced after Mickelson's birdie putt on the 18th green Sunday.

TOBY MELVILLE

AAA

GULLANE, SCOTLAND - JULY 21: Phil Mickelson of the United States hugs one of his children as wife Amy comes over after Mickelson finishes the final round of the 142nd Open Championship at Muirfield on July 21, 2013 in Gullane, Scotland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)

Phil Mickelson also celebrated his stellar final round with his wife, Amy, and their children.

Rob Carr

AAA

GULLANE, SCOTLAND - JULY 21: Tiger Woods of the United States plays out of the rough on the 11th hole during the final round of the 142nd Open Championship at Muirfield on July 21, 2013 in Gullane, Scotland. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)

Tiger Woods started the final round with a bogey and was unable to get on track despite being only 2 shots off the lead when the final round started. On No. 11, he found himself in some tall grass with a difficult shot.

Stuart Franklin

AAA

Sweden's Henrik Stenson lines up a putt on the 12th during the fourth and final round of the 2013 British Open Golf Championship at Muirfield golf course at Gullane in Scotland on July 21, 2013 . AFP PHOTO/PETER MUHLYPETER MUHLY/AFP/Getty Images

Henrik Stenson finished alone in second place, three shots behind Phil Mickelson at even par 284.

PETER MUHLY

AAA

GULLANE, SCOTLAND - JULY 21: Lee Westwood of England hits his second shot on the 11th during the final round of the 142nd Open Championship at Muirfield on July 21, 2013 in Gullane, Scotland. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Lee Westwood of England led by two after the third round, but shot 75 in the final roun d and finished tied for third.

Andy Lyons

AAA

Australia's Adam Scott plays a shot out of the rough on the 13th during the fourth and final round of the 2013 British Open Golf Championship at Muirfield golf course at Gullane in Scotland on July 21, 2013 . AFP PHOTO/PETER MUHLYPETER MUHLY/AFP/Getty Images

Adam Scott tied for third after a closing-round 72.

PETER MUHLY

AAA

Phil Mickelson of the U.S. reacts after sinking a birdie putt on 14th green during the final round of the British Open golf championship at Muirfield in Scotland, July 21, 2013. REUTERS/Toby Melville (BRITAIN - Tags: SPORT GOLF)

Phil Mickelson birdied the 14th hole en route to his victory on Sunday.

TOBY MELVILLE

AAA

Lee Westwood of England gestures on the 16th green during the third round of the British Open Golf Championship at Muirfield, Scotland, Saturday July 20, 2013. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison)

Lee Westwood outplayed Tiger Woods and grabbed a two-shot lead in the British Open after Round 3 on Saturday. Widely considered the best player of his generation to have never won a major, Westwood is the 54-hole leader for the second time.

Peter Morrison/AP

AAA

Tiger Woods of the United States, left, shakes hands with Lee Westwood of England on the 18th green after their third round of the British Open Golf Championship at Muirfield, Scotland, Saturday July 20, 2013. (AP Photo/Scott Heppell)

Tiger Woods has never won a major when trailing going into the last day. “There’s a bunch of guys who have a chance to win this tournament,” Woods said.

Scott Heppell

AAA

Hunter Mahan of the United States plays a shot of the 18th tee during the third round of the British Open Golf Championship at Muirfield, Scotland, Saturday July 20, 2013. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)

Hunter Mahan, also going after that maiden major with far fewer credentials than Westwood, will be playing in the final group at his second straight major. His 68 matched the best score of the third round.

Matt Dunham/AP

AAA

epa03794864 Tiger Woods of the USA chips onto the green during the British Open Golf Championship at Muirfield golf course in Gullane, Scotland, Britain on 20 July 2013. EPA/GERRY PENNY

This is his Tiger Woods’ best chance to end his five-year drought in the majors since the upheaval in his personal life at the end of 2009.

GERRY PENNY/EPA

AAA

GULLANE, SCOTLAND - JULY 20: Adam Scott of Australia hits a tee shot on the 12th hole during the third round of the 142nd Open Championship at Muirfield on July 20, 2013 in Gullane, Scotland. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)

Masters champion Adam Scott, who had a 70 on Saturday, is poised to be the first player with a multiple-major season in seven years.

Stuart Franklin/Getty

AAA

Ryan Moore of the U.S. putts on the first green during the third round of the British Open golf championship at Muirfield in Scotland July 20, 2013. REUTERS/Toby Melville (BRITAIN - Tags: SPORT GOLF)

Ryan Moore of the U.S. lines up a putt on the first green during the third round. He ended the day with a 72, five shots behind.

TOBY MELVILLE/Reuters

AAA

GULLANE, SCOTLAND - JULY 20: Angel Cabrera of Argentina hits a shot from the rough on the 16th hole during the third round of the 142nd Open Championship at Muirfield on July 20, 2013 in Gullane, Scotland. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)

Two-time major champion Angel Cabrera of Argentina opened with 12 pars and had a roller-coaster finish—double bogey, birdie, bogey—for a 73 on day three.

Stuart Franklin/getty

AAA

Zach Johnson of the United States prepares to putt on the second green during the third round of the British Open Golf Championship at Muirfield, Scotland, Saturday July 20, 2013. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)

Former Masters champion Zach Johnson of the United States was one over 214 at the end of Round 3.

Matt Dunham/AP

AAA

Henrik Stenson of Sweden plays a shot off the 16th tee during the third round of the British Open Golf Championship at Muirfield, Scotland, Saturday July 20, 2013. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

Henrik Stenson of Sweden played a shot off the 16th tee during the third round and ended tied for fifth on day three.

Jon Super/AP

AAA

Phil Mickelson of the United States reacts on the 17th green between his caddie Jim Mackay, left, and Shawn Segars, the caddie of Justin Leonard of the United States, during the third round of the British Open Golf Championship at Muirfield, Scotland, Saturday July 20, 2013. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)

There are plenty of competitors still in the game — five major champions within five shots of the lead, a list that goes down to Phil Mickelson (center) at five shots behind.

Matt Dunham

AAA

GULLANE, SCOTLAND - JULY 19: Miguel Angel Jimenez of Spain putts during the second round of the 142nd Open Championship at Muirfield on July 19, 2013 in Gullane, Scotland. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)

Miguel Angel Jimenez of Spain lined up a putt during the second round Open Championship. Jimenez shot an even 71 on the day to stay at -3 for the tournament. The 49-year-old was the leader after Round 2, but fell to 11 shots behind in Round 3.

Stuart Franklin/Getty Images

AAA

Tiger Woods of the United States walks off the 18th green during the second round of the British Open Golf Championship at Muirfield, Scotland, Friday July 19, 2013. (AP Photo/Scott Heppell)

Tiger Woods walked off the 18th green after he finished the second round of the Open Championship. Woods overcame some early struggles to birdie the final hole and finish even for the day, 2-under-par through the first half of the Open.

Scott Heppell/AP

AAA

GULLANE, SCOTLAND - JULY 19: Martin Laird of Scotland plays his third shot from the rough on the 17th hole during the second round of the 142nd Open Championship at Muirfield on July 19, 2013 in Gullane, Scotland. (Photo by Matthew Lewis/Getty Images)

Martin Laird played his third shot from the rough on the 17th hole during the second round. Laird shot an even 71 on the day at sits at -1 for the Open.

Matthew Lewis/Getty Images

AAA

GULLANE, SCOTLAND - JULY 19: Lee Westwood of England hits his third shot on the 18th during the second round of the 142nd Open Championship at Muirfield on July 19, 2013 in Gullane, Scotland. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Lee Westwood hit his third shot on the 18th during the second round. Westwood shot an impressive -3 on the day to sit at 2-under-par for the tournament heading into the weekend.

Andy Lyons

AAA

Henrik Stenson of Sweden plays a shot on the third hole during the second round of the British Open Golf Championship at Muirfield, Scotland, Friday July 19, 2013. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

Henrik Stenson played a shot on the third hole during the second round. Stenson shot back-to-back 70s to pull to 2-under-par after two days at the Open Championship.

Jon Super/AP

AAA

US golfer Tiger Woods lines up a putt on the 16th green during the second round of the 2013 British Open Golf Championship at Muirfield golf course at Gullane in Scotland on July 19, 2013 . AFP PHOTO/ADRIAN DENNISADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/Getty Images

Tiger Woods lined up a putt on the 16th green during the second round of the Open Championship.

ADRIAN DENNIS/Getty Images

AAA

epa03792030 Zach Johnson (L) of the USA shakes hands with his caddie after finishing early leader with 5 under par on the 18th green during the first day of the British Open Golf Championship at Muirfield, Gullane, Scotland, Britain, 18 July 2013. EPA/GERRY PENNY

Zach Johnson shook hands with his caddie after finishing as the first day leader with 5 under par in the 2013 Open Championship.

GERRY PENNY/EPA

AAA

Rafael Cabrera-Bello of Spain watches his tee shot on the 16th hole during the first round of the British Open golf Championship at Muirfield in Scotland July 18, 2013. REUTERS/Brian Snyder (BRITAIN - Tags: SPORT GOLF)

Rafael Cabrera-Bello watched his tee shot on the 16th hole. Cabrera-Bello finished the first day tied for second overall at -4.

BRIAN SNYDER/REUTERS

AAA

GULLANE, SCOTLAND - JULY 18: Mark O'Meara of the United States hits out of the bunker on the 15th hole during the first round of the 142nd Open Championship at Muirfield on July 18, 2013 in Gullane, Scotland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)

Mark O'Meara hit out of the bunker on the 15th hole during the first round. O'Meara finished the day at -4, one shot behind Zach Johnson for the lead.

Rob Carr/Getty Images

AAA

Brandt Snedeker of the U.S. chips onto the fifth green during the first round of the British Open golf championship at Muirfield in Scotland July 18, 2013. REUTERS/Russell Cheyne (BRITAIN - Tags: SPORT GOLF)

Brandt Snedeker chipped onto the fifth green during the first round of the Open Championship. Snedeker finished the first day at -3, two shots back of the leader Zach Johnson.

RUSSELL CHEYNE/REUTERS

AAA

Tiger Woods of the U.S. lines up his putt on the 18th green during the first round of the British Open golf Championship at Muirfield in Scotland July 18, 2013. REUTERS/Toby Melville (BRITAIN - Tags: SPORT GOLF TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY)

Tiger Woods lined up his putt on the 18th green of the 2013 Open Championship at Muirfield. Woods finished -2 on the day, three shots behind leader Zach Johnson.

TOBY MELVILLE/REUTERS

AAA

GULLANE, SCOTLAND - JULY 18: Tiger Woods of the United States plays out of a bunker on the 12th hole during the first round of the 142nd Open Championship at Muirfield on July 18, 2013 in Gullane, Scotland. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)

Tiger Woods faced a difficult lie in the bunker on the 12th hole, but he was able to get out and save par entoure to a 2-under-par 69 on the first day of the Open Championship.

Andrew Redington/Getty Images

AAA

Phil Mickelson of the United States putts on the 8th green during the first round of the British Open Golf Championship at Muirfield, Scotland, Thursday July 18, 2013. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison)

Phil Mickelson on the 8th green during the first round. Mickelson shot a 69 on the first day, good for 2-under-par, and three shots back of the leader.

Peter Morrison/AP

AAA

GULLANE, SCOTLAND - JULY 18: Adam Scott of Australia hits his tee shot on the 13th hole during the first round of the 142nd Open Championship at Muirfield on July 18, 2013 in Gullane, Scotland. (Photo by Matthew Lewis/Getty Images)

Adam Scott hit his tee shot on the 13th hole during the first round. The reigning Masters champion finished with an even 71 on the first day of the Open Championship.

Matthew Lewis

AAA

Ernie Els of South Africa plays a shot on the first hole during the first round of the British Open Golf Championship at Muirfield, Scotland, Thursday July 18, 2013. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

Ernie Els played a shot on the first hole during the first round of the Open Championship. The tournament's defending champion finished at +3 on the first day.

Jon Super/AP

AAA

GULLANE, SCOTLAND - JULY 18: Justin Rose of England lines up a putt on the 2nd green during the first round of the 142nd Open Championship at Muirfield on July 18, 2013 in Gullane, Scotland. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)

Fresh off his major victory at the U.S. Open, Justin Rose lined up a putt on the 2nd green during the first round. Rose shot a +4 on the first day of the Open Championship.

Andrew Redington/Getty Images

AAA

GULLANE, SCOTLAND - JULY 18: Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland on the 18th hole during the first round of the 142nd Open Championship at Muirfield on July 18, 2013 in Gullane, Scotland. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)

The opening round was not kind to two-time major champion Rory McIlroy, as he shot a 79, 8-over-par, and was looking at an early exit in the 2013 Open Championship.

Stuart Franklin/Getty Images

AAA