(CNN) -- All the talk at Muirfield has been about which drought would be broken. Would world No. 1 Tiger Woods win his first major in five years? Could Lee Westwood complete his 18-year quest for a major title? No-one talked much about Phil Mickelson, on his own personal mission to end a British Open quest that began in 1991 at Royal Birkdale. But at the 20th time of asking, the man known as 'Lefty' produced some of the most dynamic golf of his career to electrify the galleries and finally wrap his hands round the Claret Jug. Four birdies on the final six holes saw Mickelson surge up the leaderboard, his last on the 18th green prompting tears as the enormity of his achievement sunk in.
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American Phil Mickelson wins the British Open at Muirfield by three shots
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A final five-under-par round of 66 helped the left-hander to his first British Open title
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Swede Henrik Stenson was second with Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood and Adam Scott third
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Tiger Woods dropped back to joint sixth on two over for the tournament with a final round 74
British Open
British Open
Open
The clear skies and bright sunshine that graced the opening three days of the 142nd @placeholder were absent by the time the final round began to form a decisive shape.
Phil Mickelson
Lefty
Mickelson
Phil Mickelson
Slowly but surely, the galleries got wind of his charge and made a beeline for @placeholder.
Claret Jug
It was the 13th where the momentum swung his way, a birdie putt sparking a run that was to end with him posing for photos with the @placeholder as the main grandstand was enveloped in late afternoon gloom.
Lee Westwood
Lee Westwood
For home hoppe @placeholder, the final day only served to reinforce the widely-held notion that his game isn't sturdy enough to close out a major championship.
Phil Mickelson
Lefty
Mickelson
Phil Mickelson
"@placeholder must have played really well for five under par this afternoon, especially with a breeze going.