Golf Books #264 (The 145th Open Annual: The Official Story)

51nlcpnxlhl The 145th Open Annual chronicles Henrik Stenson’s thrilling victory at Royal Troon as he became the first player from Sweden to become the Champion Golfer of the Year and claim the prestigious Claret Jug. This year’s edition of golf’s oldest and most international Major Championship saw the most incredible head-to-head battle between Stenson and former Champion Phil Mickelson. Playing alongside each other over the weekend, 36 holes of intense drama, the pair produced record scoring before Stenson finally pulled in front of the popular American with four birdies in the last five holes to win by five strokes.

Battling the elements as well as the course and each other, with extremes of weather from sunshine to high winds and heavy rain, the pair produced scintillating golf to match the “Duel in the Sun” between Tom Watson and Jack Nicklaus at Turnberry in 1977. They separated themselves from the rest of the field to finish respectively 14 strokes and 11 strokes ahead of third-placed JB Holmes. Stenson, the European Ryder Cup star who was runner-up to Mickelson in 2013, set a new record of 20 under par for The Open with 10 birdies in his final round meaning he equalled the Major record of 63, as Mickelson had done in his opening round.

The 145th Open Annual is an essential souvenir for all golf fans. As well celebrating the heroics of the new Champion Golfer and a valiant runner-up, features include profiles of Troon’s local hero, Colin Montgomerie, and emerging star Andrew ‘Beef’ Johnston, and a look at the enduring appeal of The Open’s shortest hole, the par-three Postage Stamp. Produced by The R&A, this book is the official record of the Championship and is the 33rd published in a series that started at St Andrews in 1984. Illustrated with superb photography from the golf specialists of Getty Images, the book contains commentary and analysis from leading golf writers, as well as a full statistical record of the Championship.

Publication date: October 20, 2016 (source)

About the Author

The 145th Open Annual is the official record of the 145TH Open and is produced on behalf of the Championship Committee of The R&A. This is the 33rd book in the series founded in 1984. Contributors to include some of the most respected writers on the game of golf. Andy Farrell recounts all the action in his daily reports, while features and analysis will be provided by Peter Dixon, John Hopkins, Lewine Mair, Alistair Tait and Art Spander. The stunning photography featured in this book is provided by the team from Getty Images, led by David Cannon and Andrew Redington, and including more of the game’s most prominent photographers whose work is published and admitted worldwide.

Golf Books Henrik Stenson